A REPORT on a tragic incident during flooding at Bretti Reserve in March has been prepared and forwarded to the NSW Coroner.
On 29 March, emergency services were called to Bretti Reserve on Thunderbolts Way after reports that an SUV towing a caravan had been swept into floodwaters from the reserve.
A coordinated multi-agency search was quickly established after a man was announced missing, however it was suspended by NSW Police in early April.
The vehicle was located on 30 March, however the man has never been found eight months later.
At the time there were conflicting reports about how the tragedy occurred.
“We do have reports that an elderly gentleman tried to cross the flooded causeway with a caravan, and he has been washed away into the floodwaters,“ said NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Deb Platz at the time.
However, some witnesses disputed that there was an attempt to drive through floodwaters.
“He was already on his way out to higher ground when the water rose within seconds,” said Nadia Bullen.
“He did not deliberately drive into floodwaters.”
Sheree Gourley also disagreed with the SES report.
“He didn’t drive into the causeway, he was swept away trying to leave,” she said.
By John WATTS
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