22-05-2025
EXCLUSIVE Hero dad, 63, who died at his rural property in the NSW floodwaters is identified - as his daughter reveals his final selfless act that saved her life
A hero dad insisted his family board lifeboats from his flooded rural property before opting to stay behind with his animals just hours before he died in the floodwaters.
Police discovered the body of David Knowles, 63, at his home on North Moto Road near Coopernook about 3pm on Wednesday.
His daughter, Stacey Hurrell, told Daily Mail Australia his best friend Wayne 'Hipshot' Drury led a team of rescuers to his property that afternoon.
But, instead of boarding the limited number of lifeboats, her selfless father turned the help in the direction of his family.
The 63-year-old opted to stay behind with his blind dog and 30-head herd of cattle, before the rising Landsdowne River caught him in his home.
Ms Hurrell said she was 'pissed off' and 'sad', adding she had blocked out the news and was instead focused on looking after her community.
Ms Hurrell said the local heroes, led by Mr Drury, deserved a 'medal of recognition for all the families they've saved'.
He and friends, including men from the local Stones Oyster Co Op, used their equipment and strength for 'day and night' rescues since Wednesday morning.
'(They have) saved s**t loads of families compared to the SES… the SES don't know the river systems like the locals do,' she said.
'They are all fathers; they have the drive to save people, because they've needed saving before.'
