Tag Archives: oceania

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Kayakers fly down raging torrent as flooding emergency unfolds

Emergency services have issued a warning to Victorian residents as once-calm rivers and creeks explode their banks across the state, flooding homes and – in some cases – attracting thrill-seekers.

As the flood crisis unfolds, kayakers have been filmed taking on rapids in Darebin Creek, which winds through suburbs in northern Melbourne.

Video shared to Twitter shows at least three kayaks flying down the creek as muddy brown water splashes around them, threatening to capsize the narrow boats.

LIVE UPDATES: 'Major to record' flooding occurring across three states

Kayakers have taken to a raging Melbourne waterway and were seen flying down the torrent.

A Victoria SES spokesperson told 9news.com.au all waterways should be avoided if people have the choice too.

"We would like to take the opportunity to remind people not to drive through, walk in, or play in floodwater, including our full and fast-moving waterways," they said.

"With renewed river rises and very wet catchments, please take great care around our flooded waterways.

"Flood water is unpredictable.

"The extraordinary power and weight of the water in flooded rivers is a threat to your life and the lives of anyone who attempts to rescue you."

READ MORE: Monster storm sinks Melbourne suburbs

Photo of flooded cars in Kensington on Friday 14 October 2022 Photo Luis Enrique Ascui

Victoria's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) warns floodwater can contain a range of contaminants, including human and livestock waste, household waste, industrial and medical hazardous waste, debris like cars and lumber – as well as wild animals such as rodents and snakes.

"The main health risks from floodwaters are the transmission of water-borne diseases," it says.

"This can lead to stomach illness, wound and skin infections, and rashes".

Victoria's SES said it has conducted 212 floodwater rescues since the weather event began. 

READ MORE: Families outraged after Florida school shooter spared death penalty

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Diana Eadie has warned the "flood situation is still very much evolving".

While the severe weather warning has now been cancelled for heavy rain and damaging winds, Victoria SES has issued 96 flood warnings across the state.

"Major flood warnings are currently in place for the Murray river, the Avoca, the Barwon, the Broken, the Campaspe River, the Goulburn river, the Loddon and Maribyrnong river," Eadie said.

As of 4pm Friday October, 14 there were 96 flood warnings across Victoria.

Residents can stay across all alerts here

Should assistance be required locals are urged to ring 132 500, or dial Triple Zero (000) if it is a life-threatening emergency.

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NSW neighbourhood shooter found guilty of murder

A New South Wales man who went on an hour-long shooting rampage that killed his neighbour has been found guilty of murder.

Bradley Jason Mark White, 42, fired more than 200 bullets from his home and front verandah into at least four homes and eight cars as worried neighbours ducked for cover in the Wyong street on the state's Central Coast.

Byron Tonks, 20, was struck in the upper body as he sheltered with family in the front living room of his home, where White aimed most of his fury.

READ MORE: Melbourne residents ordered to evacuate as streets go under

Bradley Jason Mark White, 42, fired more than 200 bullets from his home and front verandah into at least four homes and eight cars as worried neighbours ducked for cover in the Wyong street on the NSW Central Coast.

While White did not deny killing Tonks, his lawyers argued he had a mental health impairment from a traumatic childhood and a head injury he sustained in 2000.

But a Newcastle Supreme Court jury did not agree, finding White guilty of murder on Friday after about four hours of deliberation.

White, whose March 2020 attack injured two other people, was also found guilty of two counts of shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and four counts of shooting at a dwelling with reckless disregard.

READ MORE: Sydney thieves targeting precious hidden car part

Byron Tonks, 20, was killed during an hour-long shooting rampage in Wyong.

A forensic psychiatrist and a forensic psychologist told the court that White did have some mental health impairments but knew the nature and quality of the act, and knew the act was wrong.

He may have appeared psychotic to a lay person but "of course, the nature of psychotic phenomena is often misinterpreted by lay people," Dr Kerri Eagle said.

"He's reported taking what, from my experience is, quite a lot (of ice) over that short period of time."

READ MORE: When will the rain end? Hint, it's not good news

Bradley Jason Mark White, 42, fired more than 200 bullets from his home and front verandah into at least four homes and eight cars as worried neighbours ducked for cover in the Wyong street on the NSW Central Coast.

Another forensic psychiatrist said the ice – said to be up to one gram on the day of the incident – wouldn't have had an effect on him.

His mood had been unstable in the weeks before the March 17 shooting, shown by irrationality and paranoia towards his neighbours.

His brain was already in an "inflamed" state and only an antipsychotic drug and time could bring him back to normal, Dr Richard Furst said.

White will face a sentence hearing on December 13.

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Man seriously injured after being dragged into garbage truck

A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after he was dragged around five metres into the back of a garbage truck in western Sydney this morning.

The man, aged in his 40s, trapped his hand and wrist in the truck on a site on the corner of Davis Road and Elizabeth Street at Wetherill Park at 8.40am.

It took police and Fire and Rescue crews four hours to free the man's arm, cutting through the body of the truck while paramedics treated the injured man.

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"This was a delicate rescue operation for our paramedics," NSW Ambulance Acting Inspector Liam Ryan said.

"It was determined that the best way to release the patient would be to cut into the side of the truck, which was made from high density metal, making it very difficult to cut through.

"Our paramedics, along with a specialist medical team, monitored the patient and provided pain relief while emergency crews worked to free him."

The man was taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition.