Man dies after ute washes off road in Queensland floodwaters

A man has been found dead inside a vehicle after it was washed off the road in floodwaters in the Queensland Central Highlands.

Police were called to Gregory Highway in Hibernia on Friday about 7.10am after a Toyota Landcruiser ute was discovered in a creek.

“The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was located deceased inside,” police said.

It's understood detectives are uncertain whether the man's car was swept off the road and he drowned, or if he died as a result of a prior crash or medical episode and the ute was later washed away.

The forensic crash unit will investigate. Police are asking anyone who saw the Toyota travelling in the area overnight to come forward.

Central Highlands Mayor Kerry Hayes told the ABC the man’s death is “tragic”.

"Stop, take all the time in the world to stay on the high, dry side,” he told the ABC.

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"No one is getting into strife for staying back and not risking their lives."

Queensland has been belted by rain in the past 24 hours.

Some areas west of Rockhampton, including Emerald, have received more than 50mm in the 24 hours leading up to 9am Friday.

Valeria copped 114mm and Kilmarnock Station saw an incredible 182mm.

Some people living in the Rubyvale area were evacuated on Thursday.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a weather warning on Friday for rain and flooding to continue across the weekend.

Meteorologist Jonathan How warned the conditions “may cause disruptions and danger to life”.

“Although the risk eases over the weekend floodwaters will remain high well into next week,” he said.

with AAP

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