Australian TV reporter recalls ‘terrifying’ rescue of man from sinking car

SYDNEY: An Australian television reporter who rescued a man from a car as it was engulfed ​by floodwaters said on Friday it was terrifying to ‌watch someone almost drown but added “there are few better feelings” than saving a person’s life.

Will Murray, a journalist with public broadcaster the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, was ​reporting on flooding north of the city of ​Brisbane in Queensland state on Thursday, when a man ⁠drove a four-wheel drive through floodwater. It then stalled ​and started to sink.

“It was terrifying. Like, the thought of ​watching someone drown was just, you know, I can see why people would sort of freeze up, because it is just horrifying to ​watch someone in distress like that,” Murray told Reuters.

Murray ​and bystander Daniel Hainey swam out to the car and pulled the ‌driver ⁠from the vehicle, moments before it was completely submerged.

Murray didn’t get the survivor’s name or number, but said he hoped the man was doing well.

“You know, we had a big ​old hug ​after we got ⁠him out, and that was just one of the best moments of my life, I ​have to say, just the relief of ​seeing him ⁠safe and well. That was enough for me,” Murray said.

Emergency services in south-east Queensland responded to hundreds of distress calls ⁠on ​Thursday and Friday after more than 200 ​mm (7.9 inches) of rain caused flash flooding that closed roads and schools.