Fire and Rescue flood teams reach COVID-infected child - VIDEO - Mid North Coast
Published: 30 Mar 2022 05:56pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have helped paramedics reach an eight-year-old boy suffering from COVID, isolated by floodwaters at Bucca, north of Coffs Harbour.
Just after 3pm today, a FRNSW ‘In-water’ rescue team was asked to mount a medical mission with State Emergency Service experts and NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The emergency personnel were tasked with reaching the boy, isolated with his parents on the opposite side of a flooded causeway in McClennans Road.
The first responders fitted a paramedic with a Personal Flotation Device.
They then travelled through waist-deep water guiding the paramedic in a rescue raft to the waiting family.
The boy, suffering a fever, was assessed in situ and a decision was made to leave him in the safe care of his parents rather than risk a journey across fast-flowing floodwaters.
At the same time, another section of the “Alpha” team of FRNSW ‘In-water” experts was dealing with a cow rescue on the Bellinger River at Raleigh, south of Coffs Harbour.
Firefighters teamed with SES volunteers to reach the calf which was spotted being swept away in floodwaters just after 1.30pm today.
The exhausted cow was found washed up, lying on a riverbank, unable to move.
Prepared for anything, the swift water rescue team, wrapped the animal in towels to keep it warm as the emergency crews rigged up a rope system to pull it to safety.
The Department of Primary Industries has summoned a vet to the scene and the rescue operation is continuing.
In a third emergency, a FRNSW ‘In-water’ rescue team evacuated a couple from their home, cut off by floodwaters at Lennox Head.
The couple, aged 45-to-50, called for help just after 2.30pm today as floodwaters threatened to inundate their home.
Firefighters placed Personal Flotation Devices into an Arkangel rescue raft and reached the isolated property.
The pair was guided to safety, where friends were standing by to care for them.
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Footage of the rescues can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/693848451/d0d1eddf62 [external link]
Updated: 25 Oct 2022 11:56am
Related safety topics
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]