FNQ floods: Shocking moment man found clinging to tree surrounded by floodwaters

Incredible video has emerged of a man found clinging to the branches of a tree as croc-infested floodwaters flowed all around him. He had to dodge debris including a shipping container.

Footage of civilian rescues have begun to surface on social media as residents in Far North Queensland respond to the mammoth flood event.

Emergency services responded to 300 calls for help overnight, as extraordinary volumes of rainfall lashed the Far North coast, with some areas receiving more than 800mm of rain within a 24-hour period.

A man in a "pretty shaken state" was found up a tree in Annan. Picture: Facebook/Gavin Dear

Rainfall partially subsided on Tuesday and locals began searching for anyone stranded in the overnight deluge.

One resident, Gavin Dear, posted to Facebook saying he and a friend Albert were rescuing people clung to trees along the Annan River near Lions Den.

“Helenvale is a disaster. Rescued a few fellas hanging up in trees,” he wrote.

The post was accompanied by a video of the two friends boating along the river, floating through remnants of their own houses.

The boat passed several cars submerged in muddy waters and fallen power lines.

“There’s one of our mattresses,” Mr Dear says.

“That’s the double mattress on the top of the shed.”

It’s believed the man spent a great deal of time exposed to the elements and was close to hypothermic. Picture: Facebook/Gavin Dear

A second video upload hours later shows the two men saving a local who had taken refuge in a tree overnight.

Mr Dear wrote that the man was “pretty shaken up” and was developing hypothermia by the time the pair found him.

“Over here,” the man yells in the video, as his rescuers approach in their tinnie.

His rescuer said a shipping container “nearly smashed him flat as it floated past last night”. Picture: Facebook/Gavin Dear

Asked if he was able to get down into the boat, the man responds “yeah, it’s alright, I’m all cramped up,” before slowly making his descent.

He had likely been in the tree for more than 12 hours.

“A shipping container nearly smashed him flat as it floated past last night,” Mr Dear wrote on Facebook.

The local heroes were praised online, with commenters calling for the pair to receive an Order of Australia for their efforts.

Also on Monday, a group of up to 20 people were rescued from the roof of a popular North Queensland pub.

The Lions Den Hotel, located on the main road 30km south of Cooktown and approximately 49km north of Wujal Wujal, was inundated with floodwaters on Monday morning, forcing surrounding residents to escape to the roof.

A good samaritan helicopter pilot was deployed from Lakeland, southwest of Cooktown, who rescued the group as well as some pets.

The Lions Den Hotel posted an update to Facebook saying those stranded had made it out safely. Picture: Facebook

The Lions Den posted an update to their Facebook page confirming they were safe at a nearby airstrip.

“Lions Den family and surround Helenvale residents are out and safe at Helenvale airstrip. Very wet and shaken but safe,” the post said.

“The den got inundated with flood waters and everyone escaped to the roof.

“A wonderful life saver from Lakeland came with his helicopter and got everyone out.”

Many of the locals praised the efforts of the pilot who rescued the group.

“Many thanks to this pilot, he definitely should be recognised in a natural disaster for his efforts,” one local said.

“Hope he never has to buy another beer in his time! What a legend,” another said.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said “incredible acts of bravery” were made on Monday as both first responders and good samaritans rescued those trapped by floodwaters.

“Queenslanders lending a hand, mate for mate,” he said.

“We’ve had reports of people using mustering choppers and fishing boats to rescue strangers or people they know around town.”

Originally published as FNQ floods: Shocking moment man found clinging to tree surrounded by floodwaters