NSW flood disaster: Tragic circumstances surrounding deaths of flood victims revealed

West Australian

23-05-2025

The death toll from the floods ravaging NSW has risen to four, with three of those people found dead trapped in their cars.
Fears are also held for a fifth person who is still missing.
The family of the first victim has paid tribute after his selfless act as flood waters rose, while police have revealed the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of the other three people, who are yet to be identified.
Farmer David Knowles, 63, was the first confirmed victim of the floods after his property was inundated by the floods in the state's Mid North Coast.
Mr Knowles had heroically stayed behind at his property near Taree to protect his cattle as floodwaters rose.
His daughter Stacey Hurrell told the
Daily Mail
that her father's best friend, Wayne Drury, had led a team of rescuers to the family property.
But instead of taking a spot in the limited number of lifeboats, Mr Knowles asked rescuers to find and rescue his family instead.
'He was a man with the biggest heart,' she said.
'He'd give you his last dollars.'
Authorities were called to the property at North Moto Road, Moto, about 3pm on Wednesday following reports of a body being found.
His body was later found on the verandah. Authorities believe existing medical conditions may have contributed to his death.
Ms Hurrell and his other daughter Roxy have paid tribute to their father, writing: 'Dad passed as a hero yesterday, sending help away to save others.'
'He didn't want to leave his farm on a good day.
'We all couldn't be prouder of you, Dad.
'We love you.'
The body of a 34-year-old man was recovered from flood waters on the Mid North Coast on Thursday morning.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of the Oxley Highway and Huntingdon Road near Rosewood, about 4km west of Wauchope, about 8.50pm on Wednesday following reports a man had become stuck in floodwater while driving but officers were unable to locate him or the vehicle.
His body was found at 8am the next morning.
While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing man.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the man's death continue and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
A woman in her 60s was found dead in her vehicle after getting into trouble while attempting to drive from Sydney to Coffs Harbor.
Traffic police stopped the woman, who was in a Holden 4WD, west of Dorrigo about 7pm on Wednesday.
The officer, who was driving a BMW sedan, and the woman then left, driving along Coramba Road towards Coffs Harbour before stopping at Wild Cattle Creek Bridge when they encountered water over the roadway.
The officer checked the water level, which was ankle deep, and spoke to the woman, advising her he would turn around.
The officer advised her to be careful and gave the woman his phone number before she continued driving towards Coffs Harbour.
But the woman phoned the officer 30 minutes later, saying she was in trouble near Morora Road, Brooklana, about 17km away.
Authorities searched for the woman but could not find her or the vehicle. She was found dead inside the 4WD at 8am on Thursday.
A man believed to be in his 70s is the fourth confirmed victim of the flood disaster. His body was found trapped inside a car in Nana Glen, 30km north west of Coffs Harbour on Friday morning.
Police say a passing motorist spotted the vehicle which had run off Orara Way about 4.30am.
'Officers from Coffs-Clarence Police Area Command and SES members attended the scene and found the body of a man inside. He appeared to be the only occupant,' a police statement read.Assistant Commissioner Dave Waddell appeared on 2GB on Friday morning to confirm the grim news.'It appears the man has run off the road in what locals are saying is the worst flooding ever in the region,' he said.