Pig hunt ends with flood rescue drama
FIVE pig hunters stranded in fast-flowing floodwaters south of Townsville were plucked to safety on Thursday after an extensive seven-hour operation.
The men, all in their 20s and from Home Hill, were hunting in dense bushland near Molongle Ck, Bogie, and got into trouble when they tried to drive out via Tondara Rd.
Swollen by torrential rain overnight, the group’s ute was swept away by floodwaters.
The men and their dogs were able to escape to a nearby bank and raised the alarm.
RACQ CQ Rescue said about 8am police received a call from the mother of one of the ute’s occupants reporting the incident and that the men were stranded.
Crews from Townsville Water Police, swiftwater rescue personnel, and volunteer marine rescue officers were activated, along with firefighters and paramedics.
A rescue helicopter was tasked from Townsville to winch the men to safety but was stood down due to poor weather.
The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter, based in Mackay, was called to respond but was later grounded again due to poor weather.
It was a local farmer who ended up coming to the assistance of the men and their pig dogs.
The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter then returned to the area to fly the group to Proserpine Airport about 3.20pm.
Officer-in-charge of Townsville Water Police Senior-sergeant Matt Pegg said at least 25 to 30 people were involved in the rescue.
“Molongle Ck is running very high as a result of the rain that happened upstream overnight,” Sgt Pegg said. “It’s quite extensively underwater and there’s a lot of water and debris coming down the creek. It’s very dangerous conditions.”
It is understood the pig dogs remain safely at the property of the local farmer who helped the men.
The men were cold and dehydrated, according to RACQ CQ Rescue, but were otherwise fine and incredibly relieved to be rescued.