NSW floods: Ayaz Younus killed in submerged car at Glenorie

Ayaz Younus, 25, died when his hire car became trapped in floodwater, devastating Sydney’s Pakistani community.

A man who drowned in floodwater yesterday was an aspiring software engineer who came to Australia to chase his dreams.

Ayaz Younus, 25, died after his hire car was trapped in floodwater on Cattai Ridge Rd at Glenorie on Wednesday morning.

He spent close to 45 minutes on the phone to an emergency operator while trying frantically to escape the car as the water rose around him.

Ayaz Younus died after his car was trapped in floodwater on Cattai Ridge Rd at Glenorie. Source: Facebook

Pakistan Association of Australia President Farhat Jaffri told The Daily Telegraph he had been in Australia for two years.

“I spoke to his father yesterday, I had to tell him the news that his son had died. It was awful,” he said.

“He had been here for two years and working in a different number of jobs. He was going to his final interview for a job when his car got stuck.

“His father was completely shattered when he found out his son had died. He had been sent to Australia to chase his dreams.”

The association said in a post on social media that his body would be taken back to his family in Karachi.

“He had two elder brothers and one younger sister,” it said.

Mr Younus’ body was found dead in his car. Picture: 9News Sydney

The scene at Glenorie on Wednesday. Picture: 9News Sydney

“He was from Malir Cantt Karachi, studying software engineering. Family has requested the body be sent back to Karachi.”

Mr Younus was driving a Toyota Camry hire car when the vehicle became submerged.

A police search for the car was soon initiated, with police divers finally discovering his body about 1.10pm.

NSW Police Inspector Chris Laird said the man’s long phone call and struggle to get out of the car in the lead up to his death was absolutely “tragic”.

An aerial view of the area where the body of a man was found trapped inside a car on Cattai Ridge Road at Glenorie. Picture: Jenny Evans

“What more can you say, what’s happened is a complete tragedy,” Insp Laird said.

“He is a Pakistani national but he has been here for a while and has strong community ties. His friends in Australia are absolute devastated.”

Insp Laird said police will also be investigating if the man failed to see a number of “road closed” signs before driving into the water.

“We can only speculate he may not have known the area as locals would and that as it was 6.20am he may not have seen the water,” he said.

“The male was driving a brand new hire car and initial we can only speculate as to why he couldn’t get out of the car.”

A report will now be prepared for the coroner.