Flood heroes honoured
MORE than a decade ago Ian Hoddinott noticed two women trapped in flood water in Murphys Creek.
Within moments they leapt into action, grabbed his mate Matthew Eddison and the pair set about saving the women.
Now a decade later they have been recognised for their actions with two commendations for bravery, handed down by the Governor of Queensland on Tuesday.
In the afternoon of January 10 a vehicle attempted to cross a flooded causeway at Murphys Creek.
The driver began to drive slowly across the causeway before the vehicle stalled and the force of the water turned it sideways and carried it into the surging water.
Two women inside the vehicle managed to scramble onto the roof as the vehicle was swept away.
Mr Hoddinott, who had witnessed the incident, went to get help from his friend, Mr Eddison, who lived close by, and to also call emergency services.
Mr Eddison, together with Mr Hoddinott, returned to the swollen creek.
They ran through bushes and spotted one of the women at the creek’s edge.
After checking that she was okay, Mr Eddison and Mr Hoddinott continued running until they located the second woman clinging to a sapling in the surging waters.
The strong water surge kept pushing her head under.
Mr Eddison and Mr Hoddinott entered the turbulent water and using a monkey grip hold they formed a human chain and stretched out towards the woman who let go of the sapling and was grabbed by Mr Eddison.
Together the two men pulled the exhausted woman out of the fast-rising water and took her to the safety of the bank.