June 30 2005 floods: 20 years on from weather event which claimed lives of Justin ‘Gus’ Reid and Kelli-Ann Jensen

A Gold Coast hinterland couple who dreamt of a long and happy future died in tragic circumstances during a torrential ‘one in 1000-year deluge’. THEIR DEVASTATING STORY

The Coomera River during the search.

Justin ‘Gus’ Reid and Kelli-Ann Jensen dreamt of having a long and happy life together.

It was cruelly snatched away from them in the early hours of June 30, 2005 during a shock midwinter downpour which was dubbed a “one in 1000-year deluge”.

That tragedy, 20 years ago next week, came amid one of the most consequential weather events ever to hit the Gold Coast.

The heavy flooding which hit the Coast that week led council to spend more than $1bn in years afterwards to dramatically upgrade the capacity of the city’s stormwater drain system.

Significant rain fell on the region throughout the week leading up to the floods.

Justin (Gus) Reid and Kelli Ann Jensen.

By the night of June 29, 2005, the city was in crisis.

Canungra, Molendinar, Austinville, Coomera, Lismore, Rathdowney and Boonah reported rising flood waters as roads and bridges were blocked.

Police closed Bungalow Rd, Mackie Rd, Binna Burra Rd and parts of Smith St and Kumabri Ave about 8.20pm that night as rain overwhelmed flood-prone areas.

Other roads flooded included the Merrimac exit on the Pacific Motorway, Cotlew Street, Ancona Street at Carrara, where two cars were underwater, and Marine Parade.

Ms Jensen, 21 and Mr Reid, 25, had spent the evening at a friend’s house in Tugun and were driving home when their 4WD got caught out at the Birds Road crossing on the Coomera River at Guanaba.

The Birds Road causeway in 2005.

The last time anyone heard from the couple was a panicked call to friend Ben Petty at 12.15am on June 30, 2005.

“We’re on the crossing and the water’s getting higher,’’ Ms Jensen told Mr Petty while Mr Reid was heard screaming “It’s getting deeper, it’s getting deeper” before the phone line went dead.

Mr Petty recalled the devastating final conversation.

“It was Kelli basically saying that they were in trouble, that the water was starting to take hold of the car,’’ he said at the time.

“ ‘It’s too late … the river’s got us’

“It turned into this frantic, ‘It’s too late - the river’s got us’.

“And then there was just screaming in the background and the phone went dead.’’

The ute being pulled from the water.

More than 70 SES and emergency services responders searched the area as the sun rose, with the families of both desperately hoping for any signs of survival.

Ms Jensen’s sister Aleisha said the couple had been planning a future together.

“They were an excellent couple, they were soulmates, they were meant to be,’’ she told the Bulletin at the time.

“I just hope wherever they are, they’re together.

“They were such a loving couple who were meant to be together.

“They had been together for two years and eventually they were going to get married.’’

The search lasted until the weekend when Ms Jensen’s body was found 600m downstream from where they had been swept away.

The 4WD being taken away.

Mr Reid’s body was found inside the cabin of the 4WD which came to rest just 20m off the causeway.

The couple were farewelled more than a week later at a memorial attended by more than 400 people at Lakeside Christian Centre where their caskets sat side-by-side.

Mr Reid’s uncle Greg told the funeral attendees he believed the pair were together in the afterlife with their dog Kirra.

“I know the three of them will be watching us now, Gus with an arm around Kel, scratching the head of Kirra,’’ he said, while praising the large turnout.

“It is amazing how a couple that lived for such a short time made such an impression.’’