Cobram SES rescues stranded campers

By Gabriel Garcia and Monique Preston

Oct 5, 2023

Busy day: The Cobram SES unit responded to 15 call-outs on Wednesday, October 4, as the region was hammered by strong winds and rain. Photo by Contributed

It was a busy day for members of Cobram SES on Wednesday, October 4, as they were called out to 15 jobs in less than 12 hours, including to rescue campers stranded next to the Murray River.

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According to unit deputy controller Luke Herezo, the Cobram SES unit was informed at 6am from the SES call centre that two campers could not evacuate themselves and their equipment from where they were staying by the Murray River.

“They couldn’t get their equipment out, so we had to assist them hitch up their trailer and move out,” Mr Herezo said.

The rescue comes as the SES and the CFA plead with locals and Victorians to heed weather warnings.

“Monitor the situation and be aware of the conditions a particular area imposes and keep up to date with active warnings,” Mr Herezo said.

Other call-outs that the Cobram SES responded to on Wednesday included for fallen tree branches on roads and water inundation.

The same night, Shepparton Search and Rescue was called to one storm-related incident, with a large tree down on the Tungamah Boundary Rd at Katandra about 9pm.

Greater Shepparton City Council workers were called to remove the tree from the road.

Numurkah SES had call-outs to a leaking skylight and water through a ceiling at homes in Numurkah, as well as a large tree down over the road at Marungi.

Moira Shire Council workers were called to deal with the tree due to the size of it.