An amazing tale of survival has emerged from the Byron hinterland in the wake of flooding that has devastated the NSW far north coast.
When water roared through the Brunswick Valley on Sunday night, it caused a landslip that swept a house off its foundations at Upper Main Arm, near Mullumbimby.
A woman believed to be in her 70s and her son, thought to be in his 40s, were trapped inside.
Narelle Webster saw the amazing scene when she hiked up the valley with other locals to check on the welfare of their neighbours.
"We saw that part of the cliff had come away and the whole house had gone down the slope," she said.
"All you could see was carnage.
"There was a lady up there in a lot of shock, she'd gone to check on her friends on Tuesday and their house was gone.
NSW Ambulance has confirmed both were winched from the scene around 4pm on Tuesday and flown to the Gold Coast Hospital in a serious condition.
Ms Webster said the pair had survived an incredible ordeal.
"It took six hours or more to dig these people out," she said.
"The lady who lives up there who helped to get them out, she had cuts all over her hands from just frantically digging."
The road linking the Main Arm community to Mullumbimby has been washed away in several places.
A community hub has been set up in the local hall to supply isolated locals with essentials.
Clarke Dawson is a volunteer at the hub.
"There are towels, food, pairs of shoes, blankets; everything is there," he said.
"We've got pillows — more pillows than I've ever needed in my life.
"I reckon there is more shampoo and conditioner than we've ever used in Main Arm."
