Dad, Daughter Cling To Tree For 2 Nights After Floodwater Washes Away Their Car

KEY POINTS

Media reports said the girl was in primary school
The dad tied themselves to the tree using a rope
The pair suffers from dehydration and insect bites

A man and his daughter have been rescued after they were found clinging to a tree for two nights in a flooded area in Australia.

The duo had to do so after the gushing waters swept away their car. The inspiring survival story happened Sunday in Queensland, Yahoo News Australia reported. Though the authorities haven't revealed details about the man and his daughter, media reports said the girl was in primary school.

The duo was driving Friday through the Gympie region when their vehicle was caught between two sections of floodwaters. Soon, the water began filling the vehicle.

Though the pair climbed onto the car's roof, the force of the water was such that the vehicle was swept away. They were washed into a tree, onto which they clung for two days, as nobody knew their location.

According to a statement by RACQ LifeFlight Rescue, the father swam back to the submerged car and quickly grabbed a rope. He used it to tie himself and his child to the tree, so they wouldn’t be washed away.

Thankfully, the water level subsided Sunday morning. The pair then got down from the tree, more than 10 meters to the ground. They managed to raise an alarm, following which a rescue helicopter arrived at the location.

The rescue personnel assessed the pair before rushing them to a nearby hospital. The statement said the duo had suffered exposure, dehydration and a lot of insect bites.

The statement added this was the second rescue mission undertaken in the region. Last Saturday, a man in his 50s was rescued after he drove into floodwaters. However, he managed to get himself out of his vehicle before walking to a nearby house and calling for help. He was airlifted to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, as he had suffered back injuries.

This comes as the flood damaged the Queensland area, wreaking havoc on 30 homes and 50 businesses. Authorities have sounded flood warnings in the area.

Queensland officials also confirmed two people have died in the floods, including a teenager. The 14-year-old girl was inside a car when the vehicle was swept away by the floodwater. A search was on for her.