Newcastle flooded bus rescue: Rebecca Wolf, Steffen Broxtermann John Tearle storm heroics
Startling images show the moments panic-stricken passengers trapped on a bus stuck in flood waters began to rush for roof exits as the water began to gush in. Now the first responders reveal how the rescue unfolded.
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As the water pours into the stricken bus, the nine passengers become more and more anxious.
And as the brown liquid quickly gushes over where they had sat just moments before, some start screaming.
Others jump onto those same seats and try to escape through vents in the roof with the dramatic scenes captured in pictures provided to the Newcastle News.
With backpacks floating on the surface well above the seats, an image from inside the bus clearly shows the predicament.
The driver, who had just driven into flood waters near the University of Newcastle thinking it was just 40cm deep during an east coast low downpour on Sunday, July 26, kicks out a window.
And after clambering into the wetsuits, Senior Constable Rebecca Wolf, of Newcastle police rescue, and State Emergency Service volunteer Steffen Broxtermann wade out to the swamped bus.
“The driver had punched the window out to try and calm them down – some were trying to climb out onto the roof and we didn’t want them on the slippery surface,’’ Sergeant John King, who as head of Newcastle police rescue was in charge of the scene, says.
“They went out there to tell them to relax, we had a plan to rescue them and that they were going to be safe.’’
The is just another rescue for emergency services during flash floods. Many go unreported, swamped by the sheer volume of each storm and what it leaves in its wake.
But for the 10 people inside bus number 2741 on route 11 between Charlestown and Newcastle via Jesmond, this was the most stressful 30 minutes of their life.
As Senior Constable Wolf and Mr Broxtermann get themselves ready to head out, SES volunteer and fellow rapid water recovery specialist John Tearle arrives with an inflatable raft.
Aptly named Ark Angels, the vessels are ready to be throw into harm’s way in an instant to save lives.
And the rescue quickly gets into full steam.
Mr Broxtermann, a German national who is an engineering lecturer at the nearby University of Newcastle, says the water was not flowing out of control.
And his long 203cm frame was helping with the depth.
But danger was still lurking.
“Some of them were a bit anxious. It was obviously cold and wet and after 10 or 15 minutes the lights on the bus went out,’’ he says.
Armed with the Ark Angel, the heroes do four runs through the darkness. They haul the passengers — from teenagers to adults — out of the busted window and onto the inflatable.
A man with limited capacity needs to be take out through a side door and through deeper water.
And the driver, like a captain in a sinking ship, is the last to be rescued.
“The SES do such a professional job in these situations,’’ Sergeant King says.
“They should be lauded for their work. It is great to work with them even in the
most dangerous of circumstances.’’
Investigations continue on the incident, with some citing incorrect water level
markings on the side of the road as contributing to the near-miss.