Four rescued from roof of stranded 4WD in flooded river

Four individuals have been rescued by a police helicopter after their four-wheel drive vehicle was swept away while attempting to cross a flooded river in eastern Victoria. The incident occurred on Thursday night when the group, consisting of three women and one man, tried to cross the Macalister River at Burgoyne Track, south of Licola.

The Nissan Patrol was reportedly crossing the river, which was under a minor flood warning, when its rear began to lift in the water. The engine then stalled, and the vehicle was carried away by the current, drifting approximately 25 meters downstream before coming to a stop.

Forced to climb onto the roof of the stranded vehicle, the occupants used a satellite phone to call for assistance. The Victoria Police Air Wing was dispatched after the Rescue Coordination Centre received their coordinates. An Air Wing crew member was lowered to the roof of the vehicle, and all four individuals were subsequently winched to safety.

While the group was taken to the hospital for observation, they were reported to be cold and wet but uninjured. The vehicle remains in the river and is expected to be recovered once water levels recede. Authorities are using this incident to reiterate warnings to drivers, urging them to avoid entering floodwaters, even during minor flooding events, and to remain aware of local conditions.