GREAT Lakes mayor Jan McWilliams has said the community owes a debt of gratitude to those who risked their lives to save others in Stroud during a flash flood that wreaked havoc in the pre-dawn hours of April 21.
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‘‘Several men undertook significant acts of bravery early that morning and have since quietly returned to work without a word to anyone,’’ Cr McWilliams said. ‘‘We want them to know that we are all deeply grateful for their actions on that night and we applaud their bravery.’’
About 4.03am on April 21, the Stroud ambulance station received a call to assist with a flood at Clarence Town and Dungog.
While responding, ambulance officer Bill Rathbone found he was unable to assist due to roads being cut off by rapidly rising flood water.
The ambulance turned back to town but about 4.15am came across a SES vehicle with a lone occupant that had been washed off the road. With the help of another SES vehicle, Mr Rathbone rescued the occupant from the roof of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Stroud resident Michael Maytom was returning home after work. When he saw the flood water rising, he entered the showground campground and woke up the campers. He got them into the grandstand, but the waters rose quickly and the grandstand shifted on its foundations. Campers were forced to jump into the water.
Mr Rathbone arrived at the showground about this time with Stroud police officer Senior Constable Brad Smith and off-duty constable Trent Moffatt.
Using Constable Moffat’s boat and a second Essential Energy boat with two workers, Willy Grey and Dean Hancock, the five men worked on retrieving campers from the water.
Cr McWilliams said heartfelt thanks went to the SES, police, the Ambulance Service and Essential Energy who rescued people during the flooding and continued to help afterwards.
