Search to resume for man missing after flooding west of Taree

Sunday, 30 March 2025 07:38:10 AM

A search is to resume for a man feared missing in floodwaters 100km west of Taree.

Emergency services were called to Bretti Reserve on Thunderbolts Way at Bretti, west of Gloucester, after the Barnard River broke its banks shortly before 10pm yesterday (Saturday 29 March 2025).

Officers attached to Manning Great Lakes Police District established a command post close to the scene and commenced an operation involving PolAir and members of State Emergency Services (SES), and the Rural Fire Service (RFS).

Police were told an SUV towing a caravan had been swept into the floodwaters a short time earlier, when the elderly male driver reportedly attempted to cross a causeway. Despite sweeps of the area overnight the vehicle and driver have not been found.

An estimated 22 people were safe but unable to leave the campground which was surrounded by floodwaters.

A PolAir crew landed on the campground about 3am and confirmed the campers were safe and did not want to be evacuated. Floodwaters have since begun receding.

A search will resume this morning for the missing man as the floodwaters recede.

Emergency services remind drivers not to enter floodwaters.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

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