'In-water' firefighters rescue elderly couple and their dog from fast-moving floodwaters inundating their farm - Moama
Published: 24 Oct 2022 06:35am
A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) 'In-water' team has trekked through floodwaters to rescue an elderly couple and their dog, trapped on a farm at Moama, on the NSW-Victorian border.
Four swift-water technicians from FRNSW Strike Team 'Foxtrot' yesterday received a phone call from a family they had rescued days earlier, concerned about the welfare of their neighbours amid rising floodwaters at the property in Old Barma Road.
The team set out in its four-wheel drive until the floodwaters became too deep and completed the rest of the five-kilometre trek in their Arkangel rescue raft.
They located the couple, “Jim” and “Joyce”, aged in their 70's, at a compromised levy on the property where water was rapidly inundating the property.
“Jim” was initially reluctant to leave as the firefighters explained the water was threatening their home.
The fire crew reassured the pair and convinced them to grab their valuables and pet dog, "Jake," for the journey back to safety.
The residents used their tinny to travel across the property to the waiting rescue raft, which was used to ferry them out of danger.
The Foxtrot technicians radioed ahead and arranged a NSW Rural Fire Service tanker to meet the rescue party at a safe rendezvous point to convey the couple and their dog to Moama.
The three-and-a-half hour rescue has been one of many successful missions for the FRNSW crew during the flood crisis.
'Foxtrot' is one of nine FRNSW 'In-water' and 'storm' Strike Teams deployed across the state to assist the State Emergency Service-led emergency response to rescue people threatened by floodwaters.
Media Note: Excellent footage of the rescue is available at: https://vimeo.com/763079539/a4c30eb4b8 [external link]
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:13pm
Related safety topics
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
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Stations nearby
30-32 Maiden Street, Moama NSW 2739
264 George Street, Deniliquin NSW 2710
40 Wakool Street, Barham NSW 2732