In all of the terrible losses of the North West floods one good news story has emerged of police rescuing a 79-year-old man from the floods at Maxwelton, 50km west of Richmond.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police released a bodycam video of officers carrying Des Smith out of rising floodwaters that inundated his home.
Police said Mr Smith was confined to a mobility walker and shivering from the cold when two officers arrived by helicopter on Thursday.
The video shows the flood waters rising to the level of a nearby car bonnet as Snr Const Luke Southgate greets Mr Smith at the door.
“How are you going, my name’s Luke, I’m from Richmond Police,” Snr Const Southgate said to Mr Smith.
“We’re here to get you out.”
Mr Smith replied he had a dog inside the house.
“It’s pretty full on in here, are you all good,” the officer said and Mr Smith replied “no power”.
The footage shows water inside every room of the house.
Then Snr Const Southgate and Sergeant Rob Hanson and carried a shivering Mr Smith to the helicopter without the dog.
A neighbour raised the alarm and the video shows police finding at the door of his premises in flood waters up to his knees throughout the house.
Police also rescued two others from adjacent properties and the dog was saved by neighbours who waited out the floods in a high set house.
READ ALSO: Fodder drop map available for farmers
While you are here subscribe to our weekly email delivered to your inbox 6am every Friday.