Media Release

Evening roundup February 7

Woman dies in floodwater, Usher falls, Bouldercombe: A 47-year-old woman has been located deceased after she was swept away in treacherous conditions this afternoon.  Around 3.45pm emergency service personnel were called to the creek crossing on the walking track to Mount Usher Falls after reports that a child had been swept away.  A large storm had crossed over the area and dumped a significant amount of rain into the gorge causing flash flooding to the already swollen creek.   .Several groups of people had been visiting the falls when a wall of water hit the area.  Further reports indicated that 18 people in the area were not accounted for.  On hearing the roar of approaching water a number of people managed to scramble to the banks of the creek, others were trapped on a small island in the creek and others were washed down the creek.  Emergency service personnel conducted searches in the area and all 18 people were located uninjured. The woman who was visiting the falls with her 17-year-old son, her daughter and other relatives and friends was crossing the creek and got into difficulties due to the very strong current. The woman, her son and her sister were washed down stream in the torrent and her son managed to grab hold of her in an attempt to pull her to safety.  The power of the water was too intense and tragically she was wrenched from his grip.  She was located deceased a considerable distance down stream.

Serious traffic crash, Quinalow: The Forensic Crash Unit is currently investigating a serious single vehicle crash at Quinalow this afternoon after a local resident found the injured driver in a table drain and called emergency services.  The 19-year-old male driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was travelling west along Daly Street, which is also known at Old Rosemount Road.  Preliminary investigations suggest the vehicle drove off the side of the road rolling a number of times.  The driver has managed to pull himself from the vehicle and was located by a local resident some time later in a table drain. At this time police have been unable to determine the exact time of the crash.  The man was taken to the hospital and remains in the Toowoomba Critical Care Ward with serious internal injuries.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

Rescue of stranded motorist, Helensvale: Police assisted two stranded motorists in Siganto Drive, Helensvale earlier today. Around 1.10am the driver attempted to turn around after noticing the road is flooded but her vehicle stalled in the water. As a result the car filled with water and the women, both in their early 20’s, got out of the car and climbed onto the roof. A Senior Constable from the Coomera Crime Investigation Branch secured himself with a rope and went to the aid of the women. Emergency Services then assisted all three to return to dry land. No one was injured during the incident.