The incident unfolded as 170 mm of rain turned Buchanan Road into a rushing torrent, catching a 4WD off guard. Will Murray, an ABC reporter, was filming the floods when he saw the vehicle stall and begin to sink.
Daniel Hainey, a nearby family man, noticed the car's window move and dove into the water to assist. Both men reached the trapped driver and, using the force of the water, forced the rear passenger door open. The driver emerged and was pulled to safer ground.
Emergency services arrived about ten minutes after the rescue. The driver, a local resident, had not seen warning signs and was lucky to escape. Murray praised the firefighters and stressed the importance of following flood safety guidelines.
The Queensland Fire Department has repeatedly warned residents to avoid floodwater and to heed official warnings. This incident underscores the need for vigilance during severe weather events.