He Was Covering Queensland Floods When A Driver Vanished In A Sinking Truck, So The Reporter Jumped In

One moment, he was there to report on flooding. The next, Will Murray was in the water, trying to get a man out of a truck that was going under. What began as a news assignment in Queensland turned into a rescue caught on camera.

Murray, a reporter for ABC News, was covering severe flooding in Queensland on October 22 when he saw a driver attempt to cross a submerged road in Morayfield, north of Brisbane. The incident happened on Buchanan Road, where floodwater had already swallowed the roadway.

The man's four-wheel-drive stalled almost immediately. It then started drifting downstream and rapidly sinking. Murray called emergency services after seeing what was happening, but the scene kept worsening. When the driver disappeared from sight, he decided there was no time to stand back and wait for help to arrive.

The moment was later shared online:

Australian TV reporter Will Murray and a bystander jumped into action when a motorist became trapped in a sinking truck. Murray, still in his suit, and the other man pulled the driver from the vehicle moments before it was completely submerged. No injuries were reported. pic.twitter.com/5WxljUIKXU

Murray handed his phone to camera operator Liz Pickering and went into the floodwater. Another bystander, Daniel Hainey, joined him. The two men swam to the vehicle and first tried to open the nearest door, but it would not move.

They then considered smashing the rear window. Instead, Murray managed to force open the rear passenger-side door by bracing his feet against the vehicle and pulling with all his strength. That opening gave the trapped driver a way out. He made his way toward the gap, and Murray and Hainey pulled him from the truck and guided him into shallower water just before the vehicle disappeared beneath the surface.

A split-second decision

Afterward, Murray said the speed of it all left little room for hesitation. He said there was "no thinking involved" once he understood how quickly the truck was sinking. Reflecting on the decision to act, he said it was better to jump in and "give it a crack."

Hainey had been out with his family when he witnessed the incident. He later said he had not realized at first that somebody was inside the truck. As the vehicle continued to sink, he spotted movement through a window and understood the driver was trapped. He later described that driver as "very, very lucky."

Pickering, who filmed the entire rescue, was equally clear about what she believed had happened. She said the pair had definitely saved the man's life.

What happened after the truck went under

Once they reached safety, Murray, Hainey and the driver embraced. The relief was obvious: all three had made it out, and no injuries were reported. Emergency services arrived about 10 minutes later.

Murray said the driver told him he had not noticed the warning signs and had no idea how deep the water was. Around 170mm of rain had fallen in the area, creating dangerous conditions for anyone on the roads.

For Murray, the rescue also became a warning. After seeing a vehicle go from stalled to submerged in such a short span, he urged people never to drive into floodwaters.

Why floodwater is so dangerous around vehicles

Floodwater can look calmer and shallower than it really is. The surface often hides current, potholes, open drains, debris, or parts of the road that have broken away. Even large vehicles can lose grip once water starts lifting the tyres or pushing sideways.

A vehicle can stall quickly in water because the engine, electrics, or air intake may be affected. Once a car or truck stops, water can rise fast around doors and make them hard to open because of pressure. That is why driving into floodwater is so risky, even if the road seems familiar. If a route is covered, the safest choice is usually to turn back and find higher ground.

If you are trapped in a vehicle in rising water

Act early. If water is rising around a vehicle, unbuckle your seat belt and tell passengers to do the same. Try to open or lower a window straight away. Windows are often the quickest escape route before water damages the electrics or pressure makes movement harder.

If a side window will not open, use a window breaking tool if one is available. Aim for a side window rather than the windscreen, which is usually much tougher. Help children or anyone less mobile out first if you can do so safely. Once outside, move to the roof only if you cannot reach dry ground or something stable above the water. Fast moving water can sweep people away, so focus on getting to safety, not saving the vehicle.

How to help without becoming another casualty

Bystander rescues are emotionally powerful, but floodwater is one of the easiest places for a rescuer to get into trouble. If someone is in danger, call emergency services first if possible. Keep sight of the person and guide responders to the exact spot.

If you can help from a safe position, use reach or throw methods before entering the water. A rope, pole, life ring, or anything that floats is safer than going in yourself. Avoid floodwater near bridges, culverts, drains, and fallen power lines. After contact with floodwater, wash thoroughly and seek medical advice if you have cuts or feel unwell, because floodwater can contain sewage, fuel, chemicals, and sharp debris.