# Australian Reporter Rescues Driver from Sinking Car Amid Queensland Floods

> An ABC journalist, Will Murray, rescued a man from a four-wheel-drive rapidly submerging in floodwaters during severe weather in Morayfield, Queensland, an incident he stated unfolded "within 15 to 20 seconds."

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-23T19:46:50.201898Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/australian-reporter-rescues-driver-from-sinking-car-amid-queensland-floods-048499a3

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) journalist Will Murray, along with a bystander, pulled a driver from a sinking car in floodwaters in Morayfield, Queensland, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, an event Murray described as unfolding "within 15 to 20 seconds" [21]. This dramatic rescue occurred as torrential rains in southeast Queensland caused widespread flash flooding, prompting hundreds of emergency calls and multiple swiftwater rescues [1][3][7][9][19].

The incident underscores the dangers posed by rapid flood events and the immediate risks faced by individuals caught in the rising waters, as emergency services across the region responded to numerous incidents amid a deluge that defied initial rainfall predictions [1][3][9].

## What the records show
Will Murray was reporting on the heavy flooding north of Brisbane when he saw a black pickup truck drive into a submerged road on Buchanan Road in Morayfield [10][13][14]. The four-wheel-drive stalled almost immediately and began drifting downstream and sinking [14]. Murray initially contacted emergency services, but as the car continued to submerge, he recognized there was no time to wait [10][14]. He handed his phone to ABC camera operator Liz Pickering and waded into the floodwater, where he was quickly joined by bystander Daniel Hainey [10][19].

The two men swam to the vehicle, first attempting to open the nearest door [19]. They climbed onto the truck and considered breaking the rear window [12][19]. Murray then managed to force open the passenger-side rear door, using the pressure of the rushing water to his advantage [12][19]. He and Hainey pulled the trapped driver from the vehicle just moments before it was completely submerged [2][15][17][18]. Pickering, who filmed the rescue, stated that the pair "definitely saved that man's life" [10][17]. The rescued motorist received medical examination at the scene and spoke with police, but did not require hospitalization [10].

## The timeline
Slow-moving thunderstorms brought intense rainfall to southeast Queensland on Thursday, October 22, 2026 [8]. The deluge defied predictions, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting 15mm to 50mm of rain in parts of Brisbane, but some areas received close to 270mm [12]. In Morayfield, where the rescue occurred, approximately 170mm of rain fell on Thursday [17][19]. Parts of central Moreton Bay received over 100mm of rain in about three hours that morning, leading to flash flooding [9]. This rainfall followed an overnight deluge, with several weather stations north of Brisbane recording well over 200mm in the 24 hours leading up to 9 am local time on Thursday [6]. The Caboolture Water Treatment Plant, north of Brisbane, recorded a high of 263mm in 24 hours [6]. The incident with the sinking car took place on Buchanan Road in Morayfield on Thursday [10][14].

## What changed and for whom
Following the severe weather, at least a dozen schools across the region, including eight schools north of Brisbane, were closed on Friday, October 23 [1][8]. The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) state co-ordinator, Doug May, reported rescue crews had responded to nine incidents since 11 pm on Wednesday [1]. Queensland Police confirmed multiple floodwater rescues and reported 15 swiftwater rescues and more than 500 callouts to the State Emergency Service (SES) [3][7]. Deputy Police Commissioner Chris Stream stated that authorities had performed more than 16 swift-water rescues [8]. Authorities warned motorists against driving through flooded roads [7][19]. The City of Moreton Bay urged residents to monitor the Council's Disaster Dashboard and stay updated with Moreton Alert due to rapidly changing conditions [9]. Local charities issued calls for assistance as homeless camps were inundated [20].

## What the subject has said publicly
Will Murray told ABC TV that he "could not overstate" the speed at which the emergency unfolded, saying it happened "within 15 to 20 seconds" [21]. He also shared with Reuters that it was "terrifying" to witness someone nearly drown [2][4]. Murray added that there are "few better feelings" than saving a person's life [2][4]. Daniel Hainey, the bystander who assisted, reportedly gave Murray the nickname "Mad Dog Murray" [11]. ABC praised Murray's actions in a statement, saying, "Will showed great courage and initiative. We are pleased to confirm he is safe and well" [10].

## What we could not confirm
We could not confirm the name of the driver rescued from the sinking four-wheel-drive. The full legal name of bystander Daniel Hainey was not confirmed in the available records.

## Evidence cited
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