Freak trail of Boxing Day tragedy from out of clear blue

People were enjoying the warm weather and blue skies on Boxing Day when the dark clouds arrived, delivering mayhem and 10 deaths across the east of Australia.

Mia Holland-McCormack.

A group of mates was on an annual fishing trip in Moreton Bay, three women were exploring an old stormwater drain known as the “love tunnel” near Gympie, and a nine-year-old autistic Brisbane girl was playing in the park when the deadly storm struck.

All were enjoying the warm weather and blue skies on Boxing Day when the dark clouds arrived, delivering mayhem and death in random pockets across the east of Australia. Ten people are now dead – including the nine-year-old Brisbane girl – after the relatively short but sharp systems delivered driving rains, howling winds and lightning to parts of Queensland, NSW and Victoria across Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The worst of it was in the ­southeast corner of Queensland where, on both days, the sun was belting hot and the skies clear before dark clouds arrived in the afternoon.

On Monday, the storms brought 70mm of rain driven by 110km/h-plus winds that ripped roofs off homes in Logan and the Gold Coast, where Robyn ­Carman, 59 was killed when a tree fell on her.

As the clean-up began the next day, clear weather once again drew people outdoors, despite some warnings of the possible ­return of another bout of afternoon storms.

A group of 11 mates took to Moreton Bay, east of Brisbane, on an 11-metre boat for their annual fishing trip.

Later, three female friends in their 40s would take an evening stroll near Gympie, exploring a stormwater drain traversed by generations of locals.

It all changed in an instant when the second day of storms ripped through the region.

The private yacht hired for the mates’ day out capsized in the choppy waters. Three drowned – two of whom have since been identified – while their friends were rescued as they clung to the side of the boat.

Further north, the rains caused flash-flooding on the Mary River, with the surging waters rushing through the stormwater drains and sweeping up the trio of women, all of whom have yet to be named.

And in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, Mia Holland-McCormack, 9, suffered a similar fate when the severely autistic girl, who had a love of water and parks, also drowned in a stormwater drain.

Stephen Tait.

In rural Victoria, a couple who were camping in East Gippsland were washed away in a flash flood caused by 70mm of rain that fell in 30 minutes on Boxing Day.

A Victorian man was also crushed to death by a tree on Christmas Day.

The storms and the death toll have stunned communities, with tributes offered to those who lost their lives and questions being asked about the warnings.

Among the dead were two former Queensland rugby union players who died in the capsized boat on Moreton Bay.

David “Mario” Logan, a teacher at Brisbane’s prestigious Nudgee College, and another unidentified man were discovered on Tuesday evening.

Stephen Tait, who taught at Iona College, was found inside the boat on the following day.

Former Wallabies captain ­Andrew Slack described his former teammates as “great guys”.

“They’re both well known and respected in the rugby circle, great guys,” Slack told the Australian.

“Steve Tait played rugby for Queensland in the late 80s, he was a halfback in the premiership-­winning team in 1986.

“Dave Logan played for Brothers in Brisbane and also played for Queensland in the mid 70s.

“Stephen played for the Souths Rugby Union Club … the club had a lot of success in the early 90s and ‘Taity’ made a big difference.”

David Logan.

More wild weather is expected to batter the country’s east coast this weekend to ring in the new year. Nearly 88,000 people ­remained without power on ­Wednesday evening after massive damage was dealt to the power grid.

The mayor of the hard-hit Gold Coast region, Tom Tate, blasted the Bureau of Meteorology for its “unforgivable” failure to issue timely warnings to Queenslanders of the storm’s dangers.

“We will be talking to BOM about what’s going on regarding the warning because we can’t warn people … it’s not good enough,” Mr Tate said. “We’ve got to sort it so it doesn’t happen again.”

In Brisbane’s south, Mia is believed to have jumped the back fence of the property about 6.15pm shortly before the storm hit.

Family and friends frantically posted on social media to try to find her.

“Mia loved adventures and ­getting up to mischief,” family member Tamara Turner wrote.

The three Gympie women had been exploring the graffitied landmark known locally as “The Love Tunnel” on Tuesday afternoon.

One woman managed to reach the safety of the riverbank with head injuries, while a large-scale water search was launched to find the missing pair.

The body of one friend, 40, was discovered near the entrance of the drain on Tuesday evening, and while a 46-year-old woman was found in Gympie Weir about midday the following day.

Anthony Albanese applauded the work of emergency service personnel while remembering the victims.

“My heart goes out to the families of those Australians who have lost their lives – and to the ­communities taking care of them,” the Prime Minister posted on social media.

“While many Australians are enjoying their well-earned holidays, our essential services and emergency personnel are working gruelling shifts to keep the lights on and to keep us safe.

“I want to thank you all. Your jobs are tough, especially on days like today.

“As communities across Australia experience fires, floods and storms, we can help by remaining vigilant.”

Additional reporting: Lydia Lynch