Police are urging motorists to avoid driving through floodwaters after three people became stranded in separate incidents across the Darling Downs District within the past 24 hours.
Around 9.15pm on 26 October police were called to Mullins Road at Talgai following reports of a vehicle stuck in floodwater.
The 60-year-old male driver from Cambooya and sole occupant managed to free himself from the vehicle before being rescued by Queensland Fire and Rescue Swiftwater crews.
He was subsequently transported to hospital for observation.
In a separate incident, an 18-year-old woman was rescued by police officers after allegedly driving into floodwaters in Warwick early this morning, 27 October.
Police and emergency services were called to Park Road at approximately 12.45am this morning following reports a vehicle had become stranded in floodwater.
The woman allegedly returned a roadside breath test reading of 0.179 per cent and was subsequently charged with one count of drink driving. She is due to appear in Warwick Magistrates Court on 16 November.
She was also issued with a traffic infringement notice for disobeying a no-entry sign and was fined $241 and incurred three demerit points.
Then at around 6.50am, police responded to reports of a second man who had become stuck after driving his truck into floodwater on Toowoomba Karara Road at Ellangowan at around 2.30am.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Swiftwater crews responded to the incident, with the driver, a 57-year-old Glenvale man rescued without incident. He was not physically injured.
Darling Downs District Country Patrol Group Chief Inspector Danny Shaw said driving into floodwaters put lives at risk and placed emergency responders in danger.
"Floodwaters can be unpredictable, and what might appear to be a shallow crossing can quickly become dangerous," Chief Inspector Shaw said.
"Driving into floodwater puts your own life at risk, as well as the lives of those who may have to come to your rescue.
"We are urging everyone to make safe decisions, check road conditions before travelling and never attempt to drive through floodwater.
"If a road is flooded, find an alternative route and wait until it is safe to travel. No destination is worth risking your life."
Police are reminding motorists to follow road closure signs, obey warnings and remember: If it's flooded, forget it.
A 57-year-old Glenvale man has been rescued after driving his truck into floodwater on Toowoomba Karara Road at Ellangowan at around 2.30am this morning, 27 October.
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Swiftwater crews responded to the incident, with the driver rescued without incident. He was not physically injured.
