Police are warning campers and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts to the dangers of entering creeks and rivers in the Tasmanian bush after the rescue of a man from a partially submerged ute near West Takone, in the state’s North-West.
Tasmania Police Western District Inspector Adam Spencer said emergency services including specialist rescue units were called in to retrieve the 32-year-old Burnie man.
The man had sought safety on the tray of the dual-cab 4WD after almost being swept away as he tried to wade out to the vehicle stuck in a section of the Arthur River.
Inspector Spencer said the man was lucky that he was not taken away by the current in the river.
The man was trapped on top of a submerged ute. PIC: Tasmania Police
“While we were able to locate him and bring him safely back to shore, the situation could well have had a tragic ending,” he said. “Once he got into difficulty, it was fortunate he was able to cling to the vehicle and pull himself up out of the water and take refuge in the tray of the ute … but he was wet, he was cold, and simply unable to get back to shore due to the danger.”
The man remained with the 4WD for a few hours until the Swift Water Rescue team, using an IRB (inflatable rescue boat), was able to get to him.
“It’s yet another warning that people simply should not be taking risks by entering flowing water or flooded areas, whether it’s in their 4WD or car, or other means, such as wading into the water or swimming,” Inspector Spencer said.
Police are still investigating how the 4WD came to be in the water.
Initial reports to police were that a group of people was four-wheel-driving near Relapse Creek Road and Farquhars Road, in West Takone.
It’s believed a driver attempted to make a water crossing but struck trouble and rolled the 4WD into a section of the Arthur River.
Another member of the party made an attempt to retrieve the vehicle. The man got into trouble as he waded out, forcing him to clamber into the back of the ute.
“Tasmania Police will investigate the driver and any offences committed by them will be prosecuted,” Inspector Spencer said.
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When I lived in Tucson…a causeway was blocked off with orange cones to stop you driving over the causeway. Water was 100mm…maybe less…coming over the causeway. A couple drove around me…and the POLICEMAN who was frantically waving them off to stop. End of story…for them. A span was missing. Sad. I saw it all.
so many “idiots” attempt to drive through flooded causeways and flooded areas inn general. The same also happens when driving on the beach to run the tide etc. Many come to grief for obvious reasons. If people are stupid enough to take the risks and potentially and knowingly risk their vehicle and in some cases their live than that is their business – just do not expect to be rescued by others as they too have to take risks to come and get you …. . Also may I suggest that insurance should refuse a claim as a result of driving into known danger areas… . People will then learn soon enough that it is not worth the risk.
great reply,spot on
Submarines “submerge”, this car and its moron driver were simply trapped in deepish water.
It said “partially submerged”.
If a submarine is docked or not under water totally it is in fact partially submerged which is the term used in the article to describe where the idiots ute was.
I am at a lose for how many dumb idiots are still out there who seem to think that being safe is only for the wimps amongst us. Ever Year during the Wet Season there is multiple warnings about driving through water, and yet every year we have the Brain Dead who try to drive through water and are taken by what they were told to avoid. I wonder at time is it Natures way of cleaning up the Gene Pool, or is it just downright stupidity of the idiots amongst us??