In a daring rescue operation, a couple has been pulled from their vehicle in raging floodwaters in northern New South Wales.
The couple's ute became wedged sideways after they tried to navigate a flooded crossing at Barrington, near Gloucester, yesterday morning.
Dramatic video footage shows how they were rescued by NSW State Emergency Service specialists, as the floodwaters battered their vehicle.
SES crews used a Rural Fire Service (RFS) tanker to access the couple at Rocky Crossing on the Barrington River and performed a delicate rescue operation, successfully pulling the pair to safety.
NSW SES acting assistant commissioner Greg Swindells said when they arrived at the crossing they found two elderly people trapped in the vehicle.
"The vehicle certainly was in a position that was of danger," he said.
"The waters were quite strong; the use of an RFS fuel tanker was able to assist our SES crews and swift water technicians were able to use that tanker to access the occupants of the vehicle and return them to safety.
Mr Swindells said the rescue served as a timely reminder that people should not attempt to cross floodwaters.
"We ask people, if you come across a road that is flooded to turn around and find another way.
"It only takes a small amount of water, up to 15 centimetres, for a vehicle to be washed away.
"This is a reminder of the hazards that do exist and thankfully we were able to save these two people without any loss of life."
He said with some areas of NSW still in flood, people needed to be careful, particularly in the state's west.
"NSW SES crews have performed over 660 flood rescues since the storm season commenced on October 1, 2021," he said.
"The western zone has been in flood for over 80 days; [there is] a slow-moving flood over that zone and many roads are still blocked and closed.
"We also have flash flooding in areas as well."
