An electrician swam out to rescue an old man from an SUV as it floated along in floodwaters in Australia, smashing the window with an ax.
The dramatic rescue in north Queensland on March 7 came as the region was hit by the worst flooding seen in nearly a decade.
After Sam Greenwood spotted the Toyota Rav4 floating along in floodwaters near the city of Cairns, bystanders pointed out that the wipers were still going and that there could be someone inside.
“Long story short, I swam out to the car and found an old man trapped inside had to smash through a window to drag him out,” he wrote on Facebook. “He was very lucky [the] car was still floating”
Greenwood’s facebook post quickly drew attention and praise from many social media users, who dubbed him a hero.
When he couldn’t open the door, Greenwood swam back to his own vehicle, took an axe, swam back, and smashed open the window.
“I still don’t know how he was still inside. If that vehicle wasn’t floating, he would have been well and truly gone, poor fella.”
Greenwood warned other motorists to steer clear of floodwater. “Never thought i would say this but if its flooded DONT floor it,” he wrote.
The area has been hit by rainfall of 200 to 250mm (8 to 10 inches) of rain in 24 hours.
Facebook users showered Greenwood with praise.
According to the Courier, the driver offered to buy him dinner at a local pub.
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