In brief
During a severe Queensland flood, Will Murray, an ABC reporter, saw a car plunge into rising waters. Without hesitation, he splashed into the 4‑meter deep flood to reach the sinking SUV. Together with a bystander, he pulled the driver to safety after the vehicle began to submerge. Murray’s quick response highlighted the power of on‑air heroism.
BBC Report: Quick‑Response Saves Life in Queensland Floods
Will Murray, a reporter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), was filming in Morayfield, Queensland, when a sudden surge of wet‑terraced streets dragged a vehicle into the rising water. The SUV, a delivery van, started taking on water and began to sink within seconds.
“There was no thinking involved,” Murray told BBC News. The driver was trapped inside and the vehicle’s timer was running out as it was quickly submerged.
Without hesitation, Murray and a nearby bystander sprinted to the sinking SUV, leapt into the storm‑ridden water, and guided the driver to safety. The rescue was completed before the vehicle could fully submerge.
Murray emphasized the importance of staying calm and acting fast in such emergencies. “Better that you jump in and give it a crack,” he said, hinting at how instinct guided his actions.
The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of Queensland’s tropical floods and the value of on‑scene first responders. ABC’s footage will broadcast in the morning’s emergency coverage, serving as both a reminder of the dangers and a testament to quick heroism.
