Sydney flood rescuer says he's no hero

20 Feb 2012, 4:29 pm   -   Source: AAP
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An SES volunteer who risked his life to save 10 people from floodwaters in Sydney insists he was simply putting his two decades of training to use.

An emergency services volunteer who risked his life to rescue 10 people from fast-moving floodwaters insists he is not a hero.

Robert McFarland received a call shortly before 10pm (AEDT) on Sunday night as heavy rains hit Sydney.

He left another job and soon saw cars floating as floodwaters two metres deep blocked off Joynton Avenue in the inner suburb of Zetland.

Without hesitation, he waded into chest-high water to push a floating car towards a footpath on higher ground, risking his life in the swiftly flowing torrent.

"The water was moving at a very rapid rate - if someone tried to come through there by themselves, they would have been washed off their feet," the 46-year-old father of two told reporters on Monday.

Mr McFarland, who has spent two decades as a State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer, said he was more concerned about a man who nearly drowned.

"I was concerned for the gentleman because he disappeared, initially, until I yelled out to him," he said.

But after rescuing 10 people, including an elderly couple and a child, from six cars Mr McFarland insists he is not a hero.

"You're just doing the job. People need help, you help people," he said.

"You notice that thing where your adrenalin kicks in, and all the training you've been given."

The rescuer, who also works as an emergency officer with City of Sydney Council, was frustrated that people continued to drive into the street even though it was blocked off.

Another 10 people were later rescued by SES and police rescuers.

SES commissioner Murray Kear said Mr McFarland was one of the state's highest trained flood rescuers.

"People like Robert really risk their lives to go into these floodwaters and rescue people," he said, adding that drivers and pedestrians needed to avoid floodwaters during times of heavy rain.

The SES received more than 300 calls for help in the four hours after 9pm (AEDT) and carried out 12 flood rescues, mainly in Sydney's southern suburbs.

At Peakhurst, 26mm of rain poured down in just 10 minutes, with 75mm recorded in the first hour.

Terrey Hills, in the city's north, was deluged with 69mm of rain in less than an hour.

Several flights were delayed by up to 90 minutes at Sydney Airport as 18mm of rain hit within a 10-minute period, but there were no delays on Monday morning.

The weather bureau is expecting more thunderstorms in Sydney's west on Monday night, with south to southeasterly winds averaging up to 25 km/h.

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