Sad twist in frantic search for woman swept away by floodwaters in NSW’s Hunter region
A body has been found in the search for a missing woman who was swept away by floodwaters in NSW’s Hunter Valley over the weekend.
The woman, 26, was a passenger in a Mini Countryman when in became stuck at Black Creek, north of Cessnock, about 7.50pm on Saturday.
The driver, a 27-year-old woman, managed to swim to the bank with her dog and was rescued unharmed.
However, the other woman was dragged away by the rapid current, with the floodwaters rising to between four and six metres.
Both women were Chinese nationals working in Australia and had been visiting the Hunter Valley region from Sydney.
On Wednesday, police said a body had been located by rescuers from the Volunteer Rescue Association after multi-agency search was launched.
‘While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman,’ police said in a statement.
‘A report will be prepared for the Coroner.’
On Wednesday, police said a body had been located (the search site is located)
The woman, 26, was a passenger in a Mini Countryman when in became stuck at Black Creek, north of Cessnock, about 7.50pm on Saturday (the SES is seen at the scene)
Floodwaters rose four to six metres over the weekend in Cessnock, in NSW’s Hunter Valley
The woman relocated to Australia three years ago.
‘Both the driver and the passenger opened the driver’s door, exited the vehicle, and at this time they were swept with the rising and rapidly running causeway waters,’ Superintendent Steve Laksa told reporters on Sunday.
The search for the missing woman had to be abandoned about 4.30pm on Sunday due to poor weather conditions and visibility issues.
It then resumed on Old North Road in Rothbury on Monday morning.
However it wasn’t until two days later when the woman’s body was found.
More to come.
