Heavy rain almost claims local's life

A local farmer's decision to cross a familiar but flooded waterway during recent heavy rains nearly cost him his life, prompting a serious warning about the dangers of underestimating floodwaters.

Choosing to remain anonymous, the farmer recounted his terrifying experience exclusively to Newsport, in hopes of preventing others from making similar potentially fatal mistakes.

Typically, the crossing is easily manageable in dry conditions, but recent rainfall transformed it into a perilous torrent.

As he attempted to navigate the swollen waterway, the water's strength and height quickly overpowered his vehicle, sweeping it away. In a desperate bid for survival, he managed to escape through the driver's side window, only to be carried away by the fast-flowing current.

The farmer was swept downstream for nearly a kilometre before he could grab onto something on the bank. Adding to the peril, he spotted a crocodile nearby, narrowly escaping a dual threat to his life. Shaken and distressed, he was then forced to endure a gruelling 20-kilometre trek to find another vehicle to return home.

I thought it was curtains

Reflecting on his ordeal, the farmer expressed the fear he felt during those moments.

"Honestly, I thought I was going to die. I really did," he shared with Newsport.

His story not only highlights his own learning but serves as a dire caution to others about the risks of floodwaters.

Authorities continue to emphasize the slogan, "If it's flooded, forget it," noting that most flood-related deaths are due to individuals attempting to travel through or play in floodwaters.

These waters can be deceptively deep and fast, hiding hazards such as debris, chemicals, and dangerous wildlife, not to mention the risk of washed-away underlying roads and surfaces.