Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services remind motorists of the dangers of crossing floodways after a vehicle was swept off a crossing last night in the Darwin rural area.
NT Fire and Rescue Service Watch Commander Eric Koomen said, “Around 7pm, a man driving on Virginia Road entered a flooded crossing thinking he would be able to pass through. Unfortunately, his vehicle – a small hatchback – was caught in the swift current and swept approximately 20 metres downstream before becoming wedged in trees.”
The man was able to extract himself from the vehicle and climb to the roof of his car. Witnesses to the incident called emergency services. NT Fire and Rescue Service, Police and St John NT responded. Police officers, firefighters and several members of the public assisted in rescuing the driver. First responders waded into deep water and utilised ropes and harnesses to rescue the man who was unable to swim. The rescue took over an hour to complete.
Sergeant Darren Robson said, “On this occasion the driver was fortunate to be unharmed however the potential was there for this situation to have a negative outcome. It is critical that if you’re driving a vehicle and you encounter unfamiliar flood waters to stop and find an alternative route.”
Watch Commander Koomen said, “Even if you have driven that road many times before, you cannot know what damage has been done to the road, what obstructions there may be beneath the surface, and then there is always the crocodile risk in Top End waters. If it’s flooded, forget it.”
