UPDATE: A large-scale search is currently underway for two men who went missing after their car plunged into the Macdonald River in St Albans, NSW, late last night. Authorities confirmed the vehicle was discovered just before midnight on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, near Settlers Rd, approximately 20 km north of Wisemans Ferry.
One of the passengers, a man in his 20s, managed to escape from the wreckage and swam to safety on the riverbank. He was assessed by paramedics at the scene but did not require further treatment. However, officials report that two other men were in the vehicle at the time of the incident and remain unaccounted for as of Thursday morning.
Emergency services are mobilizing rapidly. The State Emergency Services (SES) and the NSW Rural Fire Service have initiated a comprehensive search operation to locate the missing individuals. Notably, while the Macdonald River is currently not flooding, conditions are being treated as a flood rescue due to significant rainfall in the region.
In the past two days, Wisemans Ferry has experienced over 50 mm of rain, with forecasts predicting more heavy rainfall throughout the day. This adds urgency to the search as the conditions could complicate rescue efforts.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward. Individuals can contact Hawkesbury Police or reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
As the search continues, the community is rallying support for the families of the missing men. The emotional toll is palpable, as loved ones await news amidst deteriorating weather conditions.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this urgent situation unfolds.
