Will Murray, a reporter for Australia’s ABC television network, and another member of the public rescued a driver who was trapped inside a sinking car in floodwaters, in an incident that came within moments of becoming a tragedy.

The incident occurred on Thursday, 22 October, in Morayfield, north of Brisbane, in the state of Queensland. Murray was reporting on flooding when he saw an SUV drive at speed into the water, stall and gradually begin to sink.

After calling emergency services, Murray handed his phone to his colleague, Liz Pickering, and entered the water to help the driver. Daniel Hainey, a member of the public who was at the scene, joined him. The two men tried to open the car door but were initially unsuccessful.

As the car continued to sink, Murray moved to the rear passenger-side door and managed to open it by bracing his feet against the vehicle’s body. He and Hainey pulled the driver out and brought him to shallower water, just before the car was completely submerged.

Pickering, who was filming the incident, said the two men had undoubtedly saved the driver’s life.

After the incident, Murray said he had no time to think when he realised the car was sinking rapidly, as the driver could have drowned. He described the experience as frightening and said he was relieved that everyone was safe. According to Murray, the driver said after being rescued that he had not seen the warning signs and was unaware of how deep the water was.

Emergency services arrived at the scene about 10 minutes after the driver was rescued. At the time of the incident, around 170 millimetres of rain had fallen in Morayfield, and flooding had caused road closures and disrupted traffic.

Following the incident, Murray warned drivers not to enter floodwaters. He said the force and depth of the water cannot always be judged by its appearance, and a vehicle can become submerged in a short time.

The rescue, captured on camera, showed how timely action in a few critical moments can save a person’s life.

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