Approximately 2:30pm on Monday 15 July 2019 emergency services were alerted to a 56 year old man trapped on a submerged tractor in the Mersey River at Mole Creek. Emergency Service personnel from Tasmania Police, Ambulance Tasmania, Mole Creek Volunteer Fire Brigade and Deloraine and Kentish State Emergency Services attended the scene which was on private property.
The man had attempted to cross a wide section of the Mersey River which was in full flow on a tractor to feed deer on the other side of the river. Part way across the river the tractor submerged and stalled. The driver was forced to wait in his enclosed cabin until rescued.
Luckily the water level didn’t rise any further and another tractor with a fork lift attachment was utilised to reach and pluck the driver from the submerged tractor two hours later.
Acting Sergeant Rockliff of Deloraine Police would like to thank all involved for their assistance. “It’s timely to remind everyone not to attempt to cross flood waters, even on formed roads” says Acting Sergeant Rockliff. “In addition, several people have become stuck in the central highlands trying to drive through snow in two wheel drive vehicles when the roads have been closed to non-four wheel drive vehicles.”
For the latest road closure advice please refer to the Tasmania Police website.
