# Reporter and Bystander Rescue Man from Sinking Car in Queensland Floodwaters

> An ABC journalist and another individual pulled a driver from his vehicle moments before it submerged in flash floodwaters north of Brisbane.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-22T14:24:54.028020Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/reporter-and-bystander-rescue-man-from-sinking-car-in-queensland-floodwaters-cf6f5589

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, ABC journalist Will Murray and a bystander rescued a man from a sinking four-wheel-drive vehicle amidst flash flooding north of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia [1][5]. They pulled the man from the vehicle moments before it became completely submerged [5].

This incident shows the immediate dangers posed by flash flooding and the critical need for public safety awareness during severe weather events [1][5]. It also demonstrates how quickly individuals can act in emergencies to prevent loss of life [1][5].

## What the records show

Records indicate that ABC journalist Will Murray was reporting on flood conditions north of Brisbane, Queensland, on October 22, 2026 [1][5]. During his reporting, Murray saw a man attempt to drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle through floodwaters [5]. The vehicle subsequently stalled and began to sink rapidly [5]. Murray and another individual, identified as a bystander, swam out to the vehicle to offer aid [2][5]. They succeeded in pulling the driver from the car just before it went entirely underwater [1][5]. Multiple news outlets confirmed the rescue by the ABC reporter [1][2][4][5][7][8].

## The timeline

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, journalist Will Murray was covering flood conditions in an area north of Brisbane [1][5]. While on assignment, he witnessed a four-wheel-drive vehicle enter floodwaters [1][5]. The vehicle then stopped moving and began to descend into the water [5]. Murray, along with a bystander, responded quickly by swimming to the stalled vehicle [2][5]. They extracted the driver from the car [2][5]. The rescue was completed just moments before the vehicle disappeared beneath the water [5].

## What changed and for whom

A man's life was saved from a dangerous situation posed by unexpected floodwaters [1][5]. The event drew attention to the swift actions of the journalist and the bystander, as well as the immediate hazards of driving through flooded areas [1][5]. Australia's public broadcaster, ABC, confirmed that their journalist, Will Murray, was involved in rescuing the man [2][5].

## What the subject has said publicly

The verified evidence does not contain any direct statements or quotes from Will Murray or the man rescued from the floodwaters [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].

## What we could not confirm

The name of the man rescued from the vehicle could not be confirmed [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The identity of the bystander who assisted in the rescue also remains unconfirmed in the available records [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The specific location of the rescue operation north of Brisbane was not detailed beyond general geographic descriptors [1][5].

## Evidence cited
1. Australian TV reporter rescues man from sinking car (www.aljazeera.com) — https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/10/22/australian-tv-reporter-rescues-man-from-sinking-car?traffic_source=rss
2. ABC reporter saves man from sinking car in floodwaters north of Brisbane (www.abc.net.au) — https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-22/qld-abc-reporter-will-murray-rescues-man-from-floodwater/107296246
3. Bystanders rescue man from sinking ute in flash floods (The New Daily) — https://thenewdaily.com.au/
4. Breaking: ABC reporter saves man from floodwaters (Ground News) — https://ground.news/
5. Will Murray, a journalist with Australia's public broadcaster ABC, was reporting on flooding north of the city of Brisbane in Queensland state, when a man drove a four-wheel drive through water. (KFGO) — https://kfgo.com/
6. Un giornalista televisivo australiano salva un uomo da un'auto che sta affondando durante le inondazioni. (Internazionale) — https://internazionale.it/
7. ABC reporter saves man from sinking car. (BusinessDay.com.au) — https://businessday.com.au/
8. An ABC reporter swam to the rescue of a man whose car was sinking in Brisbane floodwaters after a slow-moving thunderstorm lashed parts of Queensland. (InDailyQLD) — https://indailyqld.com.au/
9. Australian TV reporter rescues man from sinking car during floods. (Free Malaysia Today) — https://freemalaysiatoday.com/
10. Bystanders Rescue Driver From Sinking Car Near Brisbane. (Ozarab Media) — https://ozarab.media/