Latest news with #MarineAreaCommand
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Body found during search for woman missing in floodwaters at Rothbury
A body believed to be that of a woman missing in floodwaters at Rothbury has been found. Emergency services spent more than three days searching Black Creek after a car became stuck in floodwater on Old North Road just before 8pm on Saturday. Police were told a Mini Countryman tried to drive through floodwater before it became stuck. The driver, a 27-year-old woman, was rescued. However, her passenger, a 26-year-old Chinese national who was working as an engineer in western Sydney, did not surface. A large-scale search for the woman has taken place each day since she went missing. It involved local police, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command, NSW State Emergency Service (SES), the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA), and the Rural Fire Service. Police divers joined the search on Monday. VRA crews discovered the body about 11am yesterday, about 450 metres from where the car was swept off the causeway. The search had resumed an hour earlier. The waterlogged wrecks of the Mini Countryman, and a second car that was washed off the same causeway before the driver was rescued clinging to a tree, became visible in the creek as waters receded. While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman. Cessnock police Inspector Justin Cornes said forensic police and detectives were at the scene yesterday. "Our thoughts go out to the family of the missing 26-year-old for what has been, and will continue to be, an extremely difficult time for them," he said. Police have been working with the Chinese consulate. Inspector Cornes thanked everyone who had been involved in the search, which he said had been "an extremely difficult operation under difficult circumstances". Searchers battled horrendous weather and low visibility in the first days of the search. VRA Cessnock captain Paul Hampton said the waters reached six metres above the causeway at their peak. He said crews were able to find the body after waters began to recede. "We were involved from the initial search and we're pleased we could find her and provide closure to her family," he said. Mr Hampton said counselling and support would be made available to those involved in the search. A body believed to be that of a woman missing in floodwaters at Rothbury has been found. Emergency services spent more than three days searching Black Creek after a car became stuck in floodwater on Old North Road just before 8pm on Saturday. Police were told a Mini Countryman tried to drive through floodwater before it became stuck. The driver, a 27-year-old woman, was rescued. However, her passenger, a 26-year-old Chinese national who was working as an engineer in western Sydney, did not surface. A large-scale search for the woman has taken place each day since she went missing. It involved local police, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command, NSW State Emergency Service (SES), the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA), and the Rural Fire Service. Police divers joined the search on Monday. VRA crews discovered the body about 11am yesterday, about 450 metres from where the car was swept off the causeway. The search had resumed an hour earlier. The waterlogged wrecks of the Mini Countryman, and a second car that was washed off the same causeway before the driver was rescued clinging to a tree, became visible in the creek as waters receded. While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman. Cessnock police Inspector Justin Cornes said forensic police and detectives were at the scene yesterday. "Our thoughts go out to the family of the missing 26-year-old for what has been, and will continue to be, an extremely difficult time for them," he said. Police have been working with the Chinese consulate. Inspector Cornes thanked everyone who had been involved in the search, which he said had been "an extremely difficult operation under difficult circumstances". Searchers battled horrendous weather and low visibility in the first days of the search. VRA Cessnock captain Paul Hampton said the waters reached six metres above the causeway at their peak. He said crews were able to find the body after waters began to recede. "We were involved from the initial search and we're pleased we could find her and provide closure to her family," he said. Mr Hampton said counselling and support would be made available to those involved in the search. A body believed to be that of a woman missing in floodwaters at Rothbury has been found. Emergency services spent more than three days searching Black Creek after a car became stuck in floodwater on Old North Road just before 8pm on Saturday. Police were told a Mini Countryman tried to drive through floodwater before it became stuck. The driver, a 27-year-old woman, was rescued. However, her passenger, a 26-year-old Chinese national who was working as an engineer in western Sydney, did not surface. A large-scale search for the woman has taken place each day since she went missing. It involved local police, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command, NSW State Emergency Service (SES), the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA), and the Rural Fire Service. Police divers joined the search on Monday. VRA crews discovered the body about 11am yesterday, about 450 metres from where the car was swept off the causeway. The search had resumed an hour earlier. The waterlogged wrecks of the Mini Countryman, and a second car that was washed off the same causeway before the driver was rescued clinging to a tree, became visible in the creek as waters receded. While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman. Cessnock police Inspector Justin Cornes said forensic police and detectives were at the scene yesterday. "Our thoughts go out to the family of the missing 26-year-old for what has been, and will continue to be, an extremely difficult time for them," he said. Police have been working with the Chinese consulate. Inspector Cornes thanked everyone who had been involved in the search, which he said had been "an extremely difficult operation under difficult circumstances". Searchers battled horrendous weather and low visibility in the first days of the search. VRA Cessnock captain Paul Hampton said the waters reached six metres above the causeway at their peak. He said crews were able to find the body after waters began to recede. "We were involved from the initial search and we're pleased we could find her and provide closure to her family," he said. Mr Hampton said counselling and support would be made available to those involved in the search. A body believed to be that of a woman missing in floodwaters at Rothbury has been found. Emergency services spent more than three days searching Black Creek after a car became stuck in floodwater on Old North Road just before 8pm on Saturday. Police were told a Mini Countryman tried to drive through floodwater before it became stuck. The driver, a 27-year-old woman, was rescued. However, her passenger, a 26-year-old Chinese national who was working as an engineer in western Sydney, did not surface. A large-scale search for the woman has taken place each day since she went missing. It involved local police, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command, NSW State Emergency Service (SES), the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA), and the Rural Fire Service. Police divers joined the search on Monday. VRA crews discovered the body about 11am yesterday, about 450 metres from where the car was swept off the causeway. The search had resumed an hour earlier. The waterlogged wrecks of the Mini Countryman, and a second car that was washed off the same causeway before the driver was rescued clinging to a tree, became visible in the creek as waters receded. While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman. Cessnock police Inspector Justin Cornes said forensic police and detectives were at the scene yesterday. "Our thoughts go out to the family of the missing 26-year-old for what has been, and will continue to be, an extremely difficult time for them," he said. Police have been working with the Chinese consulate. Inspector Cornes thanked everyone who had been involved in the search, which he said had been "an extremely difficult operation under difficult circumstances". Searchers battled horrendous weather and low visibility in the first days of the search. VRA Cessnock captain Paul Hampton said the waters reached six metres above the causeway at their peak. He said crews were able to find the body after waters began to recede. "We were involved from the initial search and we're pleased we could find her and provide closure to her family," he said. Mr Hampton said counselling and support would be made available to those involved in the search.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Sky News AU
The body of a 26-year-old woman has been found in Hunter Valley days after being swept away in raging floodwaters
A days-long search for a missing woman swept away by floodwaters in the Hunter Valley has come to a tragic end, with emergency services locating a body. The search began on Saturday evening, August 2, when emergency crews were called to Black Creek on Old North Road in Rothbury, north of Cessnock, after reports a vehicle was stuck in rising floodwaters. Authorities say the driver of the Mini Countryman had tried to cross the flooded road but got stuck. The 27-year-old driver was rescued, but her 26-year-old passenger was swept away before help could reach her. An extensive multi-agency search was launched, involving local police, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command, NSW SES, VRA Rescue NSW, and the NSW Rural Fire Service. VRA Rescue NSW located a body on Wednesday. While formal identification is yet to be completed, authorities believe it is the missing woman.
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- The Advertiser
Police divers comb river for missing woman as wrecks of cars emerge from floodwaters
POLICE divers are combing a swollen creek for any sign of a woman who was swept away in floodwaters during a deluge on Saturday night. It comes as the wrecks of the Mini Countryman she was travelling in with another woman and a dog, and a second vehicle that was washed off the causeway on Old North Road, emerged from the murky, receding water. Divers have been battling cool water and low visibility conditions, though the rain eased as the multi-agency search stretched into its third full day on Tuesday, August 5. Emergency services were first alerted just before 8pm on Saturday, August 2, that a small red car had become stuck in floodwaters at the Black Creek causeway on Old North Road at North Rothbury. The 27-year-old woman who had been driving the car, and her dog, were able to make it to shore and were rescued. However, her 26-year-old passenger, a Chinese national who was working as an engineer in Western Sydney, did not surface. A large-scale search was launched that night and has continued for three days from the land, water and sky, both in the river and on the banks. NSW Police have tasked Hunter Valley officers along with speciality crews from the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command and police rescue. Divers joined the search on Monday and were back at the scene on Tuesday. Police have been backed by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Rural Fire Service (RFS), and both water dogs and crew members of the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA). It's understood the search is covering an area up to two kilometres along the creek. The two Chinese nationals were trying to get back to Sydney after a weekend in wine country when they attempted to drive through the causeway as floodwaters up to six metres deep surged through. A 40-year-old man also attempted to cross Black Creek on Saturday night when his car was swept into the raging waters. He was rescued by SES crews who found him clinging to a tree. The roofs of the mangled and waterlogged vehicles could be seen in the creek about 50 metres downstream of the causeway as floodwaters receded on Tuesday. The incidents came as wild weather wreaked havoc along the east coast. POLICE divers are combing a swollen creek for any sign of a woman who was swept away in floodwaters during a deluge on Saturday night. It comes as the wrecks of the Mini Countryman she was travelling in with another woman and a dog, and a second vehicle that was washed off the causeway on Old North Road, emerged from the murky, receding water. Divers have been battling cool water and low visibility conditions, though the rain eased as the multi-agency search stretched into its third full day on Tuesday, August 5. Emergency services were first alerted just before 8pm on Saturday, August 2, that a small red car had become stuck in floodwaters at the Black Creek causeway on Old North Road at North Rothbury. The 27-year-old woman who had been driving the car, and her dog, were able to make it to shore and were rescued. However, her 26-year-old passenger, a Chinese national who was working as an engineer in Western Sydney, did not surface. A large-scale search was launched that night and has continued for three days from the land, water and sky, both in the river and on the banks. NSW Police have tasked Hunter Valley officers along with speciality crews from the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command and police rescue. Divers joined the search on Monday and were back at the scene on Tuesday. Police have been backed by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Rural Fire Service (RFS), and both water dogs and crew members of the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA). It's understood the search is covering an area up to two kilometres along the creek. The two Chinese nationals were trying to get back to Sydney after a weekend in wine country when they attempted to drive through the causeway as floodwaters up to six metres deep surged through. A 40-year-old man also attempted to cross Black Creek on Saturday night when his car was swept into the raging waters. He was rescued by SES crews who found him clinging to a tree. The roofs of the mangled and waterlogged vehicles could be seen in the creek about 50 metres downstream of the causeway as floodwaters receded on Tuesday. The incidents came as wild weather wreaked havoc along the east coast. POLICE divers are combing a swollen creek for any sign of a woman who was swept away in floodwaters during a deluge on Saturday night. It comes as the wrecks of the Mini Countryman she was travelling in with another woman and a dog, and a second vehicle that was washed off the causeway on Old North Road, emerged from the murky, receding water. Divers have been battling cool water and low visibility conditions, though the rain eased as the multi-agency search stretched into its third full day on Tuesday, August 5. Emergency services were first alerted just before 8pm on Saturday, August 2, that a small red car had become stuck in floodwaters at the Black Creek causeway on Old North Road at North Rothbury. The 27-year-old woman who had been driving the car, and her dog, were able to make it to shore and were rescued. However, her 26-year-old passenger, a Chinese national who was working as an engineer in Western Sydney, did not surface. A large-scale search was launched that night and has continued for three days from the land, water and sky, both in the river and on the banks. NSW Police have tasked Hunter Valley officers along with speciality crews from the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command and police rescue. Divers joined the search on Monday and were back at the scene on Tuesday. Police have been backed by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Rural Fire Service (RFS), and both water dogs and crew members of the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA). It's understood the search is covering an area up to two kilometres along the creek. The two Chinese nationals were trying to get back to Sydney after a weekend in wine country when they attempted to drive through the causeway as floodwaters up to six metres deep surged through. A 40-year-old man also attempted to cross Black Creek on Saturday night when his car was swept into the raging waters. He was rescued by SES crews who found him clinging to a tree. The roofs of the mangled and waterlogged vehicles could be seen in the creek about 50 metres downstream of the causeway as floodwaters receded on Tuesday. The incidents came as wild weather wreaked havoc along the east coast. POLICE divers are combing a swollen creek for any sign of a woman who was swept away in floodwaters during a deluge on Saturday night. It comes as the wrecks of the Mini Countryman she was travelling in with another woman and a dog, and a second vehicle that was washed off the causeway on Old North Road, emerged from the murky, receding water. Divers have been battling cool water and low visibility conditions, though the rain eased as the multi-agency search stretched into its third full day on Tuesday, August 5. Emergency services were first alerted just before 8pm on Saturday, August 2, that a small red car had become stuck in floodwaters at the Black Creek causeway on Old North Road at North Rothbury. The 27-year-old woman who had been driving the car, and her dog, were able to make it to shore and were rescued. However, her 26-year-old passenger, a Chinese national who was working as an engineer in Western Sydney, did not surface. A large-scale search was launched that night and has continued for three days from the land, water and sky, both in the river and on the banks. NSW Police have tasked Hunter Valley officers along with speciality crews from the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command and police rescue. Divers joined the search on Monday and were back at the scene on Tuesday. Police have been backed by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Rural Fire Service (RFS), and both water dogs and crew members of the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA). It's understood the search is covering an area up to two kilometres along the creek. The two Chinese nationals were trying to get back to Sydney after a weekend in wine country when they attempted to drive through the causeway as floodwaters up to six metres deep surged through. A 40-year-old man also attempted to cross Black Creek on Saturday night when his car was swept into the raging waters. He was rescued by SES crews who found him clinging to a tree. The roofs of the mangled and waterlogged vehicles could be seen in the creek about 50 metres downstream of the causeway as floodwaters receded on Tuesday. The incidents came as wild weather wreaked havoc along the east coast.
West Australian
22-07-2025
- West Australian
‘No one was on board': Rescue abandoned after grim discovery
An urgent search for missing fisherman Geoff Buchanan has been abandoned after his boat was discovered almost 150km out to sea unmanned and drifting aimlessly. Emergency services were called to Batemans Bay Marina about 8pm on Saturday after the 56-year-old Sussex Inlet man failed to return from a daylong fishing trip. About 1.20pm on Tuesday, Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Challenger aircraft found the fisherman's empty boat east of Narooma. Nearby commercial fishing boats assisted in stabilising the drifting cruiser amid choppy sea conditions. The vessel is being towed back to shore. Police were informed that Mr Buchanan had departed the marina about 6am aboard an eight-metre Arvor cruiser. He was last spoken to about 10am. When he didn't return as expected, concerns were raised and emergency services were notified about 7.20pm. A search operation was launched by the Marine Area Command, with support from South Coast Police District officers, Marine Rescue NSW and AMSA. The search area was expanded significantly, stretching from Port Stephens in the north to the Victorian border in the south. NSW Police marine area command officer detective chief inspector Anthony Brazzill said Mr Buchanan suffered from diabetes and police had not ruled out the possibility he suffered a medical episode onboard. 'The gentleman does have health issues managing diabetes that we're extremely concerned about … we understand he had the medication,' Inspector Brazzill said. 'But if something did happen where he had an episode and couldn't get to his medication, that is our grave concern.' Mr Chaffey said Mr Buchanan had been planning to fish for tuna near the continental shelf and potentially stop for a dive on the way back on Saturday. '(Mr Buchanan) was very safety conscious,' he said. 'He always lets the marina know where he's going, when he's going.' A close friend of Mr Buchanan, and manager of the Batemans Bay d'Albora marina, Mitch Chaffey, told the ABC Mr Buchanan was a highly experienced waterman. 'Geoff's been around the water his whole life, very experienced in the water and on the water, fisherman, skin diver, who knows his way around a boat,' Mr Chaffey said.
Perth Now
22-07-2025
- Perth Now
Rescue abandoned after grim discovery
An urgent search for missing fisherman Geoff Buchanan has been abandoned after his boat was discovered almost 150km out to sea unmanned and drifting aimlessly. Emergency services were called to Batemans Bay Marina about 8pm on Saturday after the 56-year-old Sussex Inlet man failed to return from a daylong fishing trip. About 1.20pm on Tuesday, Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Challenger aircraft found the fisherman's empty boat east of Narooma. Nearby commercial fishing boats assisted in stabilising the drifting cruiser amid choppy sea conditions. The vessel is being towed back to shore. Police were informed that Mr Buchanan had departed the marina about 6am aboard an eight-metre Arvor cruiser. He was last spoken to about 10am. When he didn't return as expected, concerns were raised and emergency services were notified about 7.20pm. Volunteers had been searching for Mr Buchanan since his disappearance. Marine Rescue NSW Credit: Supplied A search operation was launched by the Marine Area Command, with support from South Coast Police District officers, Marine Rescue NSW and AMSA. The search area was expanded significantly, stretching from Port Stephens in the north to the Victorian border in the south. NSW Police marine area command officer detective chief inspector Anthony Brazzill said Mr Buchanan suffered from diabetes and police had not ruled out the possibility he suffered a medical episode onboard. 'The gentleman does have health issues managing diabetes that we're extremely concerned about … we understand he had the medication,' Inspector Brazzill said. 'But if something did happen where he had an episode and couldn't get to his medication, that is our grave concern.' Mr Chaffey said Mr Buchanan had been planning to fish for tuna near the continental shelf and potentially stop for a dive on the way back on Saturday. '(Mr Buchanan) was very safety conscious,' he said. 'He always lets the marina know where he's going, when he's going.' A close friend of Mr Buchanan, and manager of the Batemans Bay d'Albora marina, Mitch Chaffey, told the ABC Mr Buchanan was a highly experienced waterman. 'Geoff's been around the water his whole life, very experienced in the water and on the water, fisherman, skin diver, who knows his way around a boat,' Mr Chaffey said.
