July 22, 2022
The body of a 47-year-old Nanango man was found in the flooded Sandy Creek at Nanango on Friday morning.
The man’s body was found near the Sandy Creek Bridge about 8:15am after a frantic search of an area near Mill Flat Road by emergency services crews for nearly three hours.
They began the search after reports a vehicle had got into difficulties in the Brown Street area about 5:30am.
At 1:45pm, police divers were still searching for the vehicle in the flooded creek.
South Burnett Patrol Group Inspector Scott Stahlhut made the announcement that the man’s body had been found at a media conference at Nanango Police Station.
Police will now prepare a report for the Coroner.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said that, on behalf of the South Burnett community, she would like to offer her sincere condolences to the family of the local man who lost his life.
“It has been a harrowing day for our region with flash flooding and swollen waterways affecting most communities,” she said.
“Thank you to the emergency services personnel who have been involved in several swift water rescues and flood-related incidents. We appreciate their efforts in keeping our community safe.”
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Emergency services crews were called to several other incidents across the South Burnett in the early hours of Friday morning.
Police and the QFES confirmed they had received multiple calls for assistance.
A QFES spokesperson said swiftwater crews attended seven jobs in the North Coast region – which includes the South Burnett.
Eleven people were all accounted for after vans were inundated at the Twin Gums Caravan Park in Scott Street, Nanango.
At 3:38am, emergency services were called to Kingaroy-Cooyar Road, near Kumbia Road, at Brooklands after reports two people were inside a vehicle in water at risk of being swept away.
Police managed to get the pair – a man and a woman in their 50s – to safety. Emergency services were called back to the same incident several hours later when other motorists spotted the abandoned vehicle in floodwaters, fearing people could be still trapped inside.
Just before 5:30am, police assisted another person after their vehicle was reported to have been washed away in the Geritz Road area near Kingaroy.
About the same time, QFES crews walked a woman to safety after her vehicle was stuck in floodwater on Aerodrome Road at Taabinga.
Just after 8:30am, emergency services were called to Mondure-Wheatlands Road, near Byee Road, after reports a vehicle had been inundated up to its windows in floodwater.
Police assisted the occupant to safety. A search was also carried out to make sure there was no one else inside the vehicle.
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South Burnett Regional Council issued an emergency alert to residents at 7:10am on Friday:
Flash flooding is occurring in the South Burnett Regional Council area. Council advises roads and bridges may be impacted and urges residents to stay off the roads, if possible.
Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it.
Stay tuned to the Bureau of Meteorology for the latest weather information.
For flood assistance, contact the SES on 13-25-00.
In a life-threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).
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Nanango State School has notified parents that the school is closed on Friday due to the overnight weather.
“The safety of students, staff and community members is out highest priority,” the notice said.
“As you are aware, a weather event has produced significant rain and flash flooding in our local area.
“Our school will be closed today as current localised flooding is impacting access to our school site for our staff and students.”
- External link: South Burnett Regional Council’s Disaster Dashboard shows the roads which have been cut by flash flooding
[UPDATED. Originally published as “Person Missing In Floodwaters”]
Terribly sad tragedy.