Chopper plucks stranded boy from flooded cricket pitch

A TEENAGE boy has had to be rescued from floodwaters that engulfed New Norfolk’s Tynwald Park. SEE THE VIDEO

Rescuers send a line out to the boy who had become stranded at Tynwald Park. Picture: DAMIAN BESTER

A TEENAGE boy has had to be rescued from floodwaters that engulfed New Norfolk’s Tynwald Park.

Local police attended the scene at about 1.30pm, finding a 15-year-old boy in the water that had covered most of Tynwald Park after the Lachlan River broke its banks on Thursday night.

He appeared to be sitting on the submerged fence between the football ground and the road.

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Tasmania Police said that because of the speed and depth of flood waters, Derwent Valley SES and police ground crews were unable to rescue him, resulting in the Westpac rescue helicopter being called to help.

The Westpac rescue helicopter prepares to lift the stranded boy out of the floodwaters. Picture: DAMIAN BESTER

The helicopter arrived about 2.15pm, with the boy winched to safety after nearly an hour in the water. He was treated for mild hypothermia on the Derwent Esplanade but police said he was otherwise uninjured.