Wild weather hampers police rescues at Mt Wellington, Sheffield

AUTHORITIES have expressed their frustration after a couple needed to be saved after driving into floodwaters near Sheffield last night.

Inundated farm land at Gunns Plains, in Tasmania’s North-West, earlier this week. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

AUTHORITIES have expressed their frustration after a couple needed to be saved after driving into floodwaters near Sheffield last night.

The dangers of driving through floodwaters on roads closed to traffic have been highlighted during two major flood events in Tasmania within four months.

One driver died in June after getting trapped in a truck on floodwaters, while a Latrobe couple and their baby were saved by a local policeman as they got into serious trouble as they crossed the flooded Mersey River trying to get to safety.

In the latest incident, Tasmania Police say a 68-year-old man from Sheffield and his 51-year-old female partner are lucky to alive after being rescued from floodwaters on Bridle Track Rd at Beulah about 6pm yesterday.

“Despite clear and visible road closure signs, the man drove his Chrysler sedan through the closed section of the road,” police said this morning.

The vehicle became trapped, with water reaching the car’s windows.

Luckily, the woman managed to contact emergency services and the vehicle was towed out of the area by a local resident. They were both unharmed.

“Emergency personnel, Tasmania Police and local councils have been working tirelessly all week to ensure safety to the public,” Devonport Police said in a statement.

“Incidents like this are frustrating when there is considerable media attention in relation to the flood levels in the area and adequate and visible signage positioned in dangerous areas.”

The Westpac Police Rescue helicopter was sent out to rescue a man stranded on Mt Wellington last night but could not winch him to safety because of foul weather. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Meanwhile, a rescue operation on Mt Wellington in southern Tasmania had to be delayed last night as extreme weather hit the peak.

Police received a call for assistance from a man stuck on Mt Wellington late yesterday.

The Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter was deployed, along with patrol officers.

The chopper crew found the man about 11.30pm but could not winch him to safety because of bad weather, with conditions closing in.

A police search and rescue land crew was able to reach the man about 2.30am today.

He was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital by ambulance.

Tasmanians have been used to drive to the conditions and familiarise themselves with road closures before they travel the community alerts section on the Tasmania Police website.