Tributes flow for grandfather drowned in flash-flooding as deluge lashes Australia's east coast

Brisbane man Peter Wells, 71, drowned when his ute was swept away at a flooded river crossing in Greenbank, Ipswich, early on Thursday.

Joe Attanasio
·Senior Reporter
Updated ·4-min read

A beloved grandfather who died in flash-flooding after wild weather lashed Queensland has been remembered as "one of the most humble and talented men you'll ever meet" and a "world-class talent" in the Australian drag racing community.

Brisbane man Peter Wells, 71, is believed to have drowned when his ute was swept away at a flooded river crossing off Begley Road in Greenbank, Ipswich early on Thursday. Police were called to conduct a welfare check at a private property around 5.20am when they found Wells' body nearby.

His white ute was located "submerged" around 50 metres down a river embankment, wedged between trees. The area had copped a staggering 150mm worth of rain in 24 hours.

Pictured is Peter Wells, 71, who died on Thursday when the utility he was driving was swept away in floodwaters in Greenbank in Ipswich.
Peter Wells, 71, died on Thursday when the utility he was driving was swept away in floodwaters in Greenbank in Ipswich. Source: Facebook / AAP

Beloved grandfather remembered

Friends, loved ones and family have since taken to social media to remember the "lovely man" who they say will be missed by "many all around the country".

"We are in shock with the tragic news that our friend Peter Wells has passed away," a friend wrote on Facebook. "To Bev, Ian, Darryl, and all his family and friends we give our sincere condolences.

"Peter was one of the most humble and talented men you will ever meet. His work was immaculate and his talent was world class, and can never be replaced. Drag Racers and car enthusiasts around the country have lost a great man. Godspeed our friend."

Peter Wells' ute was found in floodwaters at Greenbank, seen here.
Peter Wells' ute was found in floodwaters at Greenbank. Source: AAP

Another friend Keith Draper said Wells had lived in the area for decades and travelled the road in which he was swept away "many, many times".

"There’s going to be a lot of saddened people today. I just cannot believe he died this way," Draper told media. "Everyone around here loved him and he was part of Greenbank."

Another neighbour said Wells was loved by his children and grandchildren. "He was just starting to enjoy that chapter of his life," they said, The Courier Mail reported.

The wild weather on Wednesday night caused the road to flood more than usual, the neighbour added.

"I’ve never seen anything like it, it was crazy, and I’ve been here for 10 years. The pipes were bursting... the water tanks were like fire hydrants," they said. "The rain just sat over Greenbank and didn’t move."

Acting Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski branded the incident "clearly an absolutely tragic circumstance". A report is being prepared for the coroner.

East coast pounded by intense rain as deluge continues

Much of the eastern states have been warned to prepare for bucketing rain today, with several extreme weather warnings in place across NSW and Queensland in particular.

Residents of Sydney and surrounding areas are being urged to stay indoors as damaging winds and heavy rain sweep through, causing life-threatening flash flooding. Sydney had already received 110mm of rain in the 24 hours up to 9.00am on Friday.

Drivers are being warned to avoid non-essential travel as the dangerous storm system hits along Australia's eastern seaboard.

An inland low and coastal trough joining forces over NSW is forecast to bring heavy localised falls to much of the state on Friday.

Authorities warned 24-hour totals could top 200mm in Sydney and the south coast, with as much as 300mm dumped on the Illawarra Escarpment overlooking Wollongong.

The intense downpours could lead to "dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding" from Friday evening, NSW's State Emergency Service said in a watch and act warning just after 5am.

The SES is urging residents of Sydney, Gosford, Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay and Goulburn to "stay indoors" due to the dangerous weather.

Major flooding was possible along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River bounding Sydney from late Friday, with Penrith likely to cop as much rain in a day as one-and-a-half Aprils.

Transport NSW took the rare step of warning drivers statewide to avoid non-essential travel.

In Queensland, there are some 20 weather warnings in place across the state.

with AAP

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