Glenorie floods drowning: Man found in car at Cattai Ridge Rd

A man is thought to have drowned inside his car in floodwaters in Sydney’s north west.

A body has been recovered from a car which was stuck in floodwaters in Sydney’s north west.

Emergency services including police divers were called to the corner of Cattai Ridge Rd and Hidden Valley Lne in Glenorie at 6.30am on Wednesday.

It had been reported a man was trapped in his car which was underwater.

A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said that they were called to reports of a “suspected car in the water” this morning.

She added: “SES went out and couldn’t find anything.”

However, the car was later found and police divers have recovered a body.

In a statement NSW Police said: “A man has died after his car was trapped in floodwaters in Sydney’s north west today.

“About 6.25am (Wednesday 24 March 2021), emergency services responded to reports a car was trapped in floodwaters on Cattai Ridge Road, near Hidden Valley Lane, at Glenorie.

“Officers from The Hills Police Area Command attended the scene, along with SES Flood Rescue, to search for the vehicle in Cattai Creek.

Emergency services were called to the juntion of the two roads with the body found inside the car nearby. Pic: Google maps

“About 1.10pm, the vehicle was found with a man’s body inside. The man has not been formally identified.

“A crime scene has been established and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.”

Emergency Services Minister and Hills Shire resident David Elliott broke the news to parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

“Today’s tragedy is an horrific reminder as to why we need to use every single opportunity to mitigate against flood waters, particularly as North Western Sydney continues to grow,” Mr Elliott told NewsLocal.

“This is something I have fought for since I was elected a decade ago.

“Given the matter will now be subject to a Coronial Inquiry any further comment would be inappropriate.”

NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott speaks to the media during a NSW flood update press conference in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the Emergency Services minister extended his “deepest sympathies” to the family and friends of the man recovered from floodwaters.

“As someone who lives in the Hills and is a proud representative of our community, I know that this tragedy will send ripples through this tight-knit place we call home,” he said.

“The human cost of these floods has been brought into sharp focus in the most tragic of circumstances and I urge communities to continue to be cautious in the face of continued and imminent threats to life.

“I thank all our Police and Emergency Services who have worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe during this severe weather event.”

A photo shows flood damages in the Windsor and Pitt Town areas along the Hawkesbury River in Greater Sydney on March 24, 2021. (Photo by LUKAS COCH / POOL / AFP)

Premier Gladys Berejiklian told Question Time: “Unfortunately we have received news of a fatality in the north west of Sydney flood waters.

“Because it’s early stages I will allow emergency services to comment at the appropriate time to ensure arrangements have been made with next of kin.”

She reiterated that the situation remained gravely dangerous in flood waters and urged people to take care.

“Whilst the sun is out conditions remain extremely dangerous, rivers are still rising,” she said.

“We ask everybody, especially if they are in vehicles to be extra cautious.

“Some would suggest it is even more dangerous now as rivers continue to rise and catchments fill up with water.”

MORE TO COME.