Woman dies, two people rescued from floodwaters north of Mackay

A woman swept to her death in floodwaters north of Mackay was ‘all the good you could ever want in a person’ and whose loss to her community has been felt in a profound way.

A mother of three who died when her vehicle was swept off a flooded causeway north of Mackay is being remembered as an irreplaceable woman who would “light up a room with her energy”.

Casey Munchow, 31, was found inside the vehicle she and two other people were travelling in when it struck the flooded road about 5am on Wednesday, May 11.

Her two passengers, a 50-year-old Mount Charlton man and a 30-year-old Mount Pelion woman, were able to free themselves and raise the alarm.

Mrs Munchow could not, and was found inside the vehicle with her seatbelt on.

She died at the scene.

Casey Munchow, 31, from Calen with her husband Josh and children Dylan, 10, Tommy, 7, and Evie, 2. Casey died when her car was swept off a flooded Surprise Creek Rd at Mount Ossa, near Seaforth in the Mackay district, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Picture: Contributed

Her friends are now rallying to support Mrs Munchow’s husband Josh and their three children Dylan, 10, Tommy, 7 and Evie, 2, as they grapple with the tragedy.

“Casey was all the good you could ever want in a person,” friend Natasha Spreadborough wrote in an online fundraiser.

“One of a kind with a heart of gold, was always there for her friends and completely family oriented, a crack up to have a laugh and drink with.

“(She) could light up a room with her energy, an adored sister, cherished daughter, the most incredible, devoted mother to her three beautiful children and loyal and loving wife to her husband Josh, her precious little family who she loved more than anything in this universe.

SeeLoveBook.com business owners Casey and Josh Munchow. Picture: Contributed

“Quite frankly, there are not enough compassionate words to compliment this beautiful woman.”

A well-regarded wedding photographer, Mrs Munchow in 2021 launched a website to connect Mackay and Whitsunday businesses helping prospective brides plan their special days.

She ran the company with her husband Josh.

SeeLoveBook.com business owners Casey and Josh Munchow. Picture: Contributed

Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess said Mrs Munchow’s death was the fifth tragedy on the Mackay region’s roads in May.

Superintendent Burgess said there had been significant rainfall in the past week and creeks, rivers and causeways were flooded, some with force as they came down from the higher areas.

The submerged vehicle in Surprise Creek Road at Mount Ossa. A Calen woman was found inside the vehicle after it was swept off a flooded roadway about 5am on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll

>THE BIG WET: Rolling coverage of road closures, weather warnings

“Some of the water is coming down with force and people need to take care,” he said.

“You can’t see what’s underneath, you can’t see how deep the water is.

“It is very treacherous conditions to drive in and very challenging to do search and rescue activities.

Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess speaks about the terrible effect of road fatalities on families and the broader community at a press conference in Mackay on May 11. Picture: Duncan Evans

“Particularly at this time – or at any time – on our roads in Queensland at the moment we are in the middle of a very bad weather pattern where roads are wet, rivers are running, and causeways are flowing.

“I cannot say this with any more conviction – drive to the conditions on Queensland roads and it it’s flooded, forget it.”

The submerged vehicle in Surprise Creek Road at Mount Ossa. A Calen woman was found inside the vehicle after it was swept off a flooded roadway about 5am on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll

Superintendent Burgess said the woman’s vehicle was visible from the roadway but was covered in water when emergency services crews arrived at the scene.

The vehicle was recovered about 8am.

“As it was able to be recovered and in fact the seatbelt still remained on the driver,” he said.

The submerged vehicle in Surprise Creek Road at Mount Ossa. A Calen woman was found inside the vehicle after it was swept off a flooded roadway about 5am on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll

“The vehicle had been swept away from the causeway and the amount of water flowing down there limited the amount of (rescue) activities.

“I understand the information came from the passengers.”

He said the man and woman were able to call emergency services.

Superintendent Burgess pleaded with motorists to be cautious, noting the region’s rising road toll.

The Mackay district’s road toll sits at 14 deaths since January 1, 2022.

Originally published as Woman dies, two people rescued from floodwaters north of Mackay