Duo trapped for hours on roof of vehicle in flood water

Young couple spent hours sitting on the roof of their four-wheel drive waiting to be rescued. FOOTAGE FROM THE SCENE.

A young couple sat on the roof of their four wheel drive for several hours before being dramatically rescued from floodwaters in northern Tasmania.

Police have warned motorists not to attempt to drive through flooded roads in the wake of the rescue at Longford on Saturday night.

A police spokesman said a young male and his female passenger were eventually rescued by the Swift Water Rescue Unit of Surf Australia.

The scene of Saturday's dramatic rescue in floodwaters at Longford. Picture: Tasmania Police

The man had driven through floodwaters at Woolmers Lane just before 10pm.

“The road was closed at the time and was clearly sign posted,” the spokesman said.

“The vehicle was inundated with water and stopped, and the occupants had to sit on the roof of the vehicle and await rescue for several hours.”

Police deployed the Westpac rescue helicopter as well as the sea water rescue team.

“Due to the conditions the decision was made to rescue the occupants of the vehicle using the Swift Water Rescue Crew and their vessel.

“Both occupants were successfully rescued and were uninjured but were accessed by paramedics at the scene and then taken home by family.

“Police would like to remind all road users that they must obey all road closures and not to drive through flood waters.”