Former Fraser Coast councillor James Hansen dies in floodwater
Dairy farmer and One Nation candidate James Hansen drowned near Boompah, as Queensland's southeast braces for more storms while floodwaters recede.
A former Fraser Coast councillor and One Nation candidate has died in floodwaters in Queensland, as a fresh round of storms threatens the state's southeast just as water levels begin to fall.
A body found in floodwater near Maryborough has been identified as James Hansen, a dairy farmer, former Fraser Coast councillor and One Nation candidate. Authorities said he drowned just outside Boompah.
An official said the day had served as a tragic reminder of the impacts of severe weather and passed on condolences to Mr Hansen's family.
In the Lockyer Valley, clearer skies have brought some relief. Water is starting to recede, and an emergency alert for Lockyer and Laidley Creeks has been cancelled. However, saturated catchments and swollen waterways continue to pose a risk.
Overnight, the State Emergency Service responded to 69 jobs across the Southern Downs, Logan and Brisbane areas. Crews also carried out a rescue near Leyburn after a truck driver became stuck in floodwaters. Rescuers placed an inflatable work platform in a creek and waded and paddled about two kilometres to reach the scene.
The focus is now shifting to the clean-up, with locals and businesses clearing debris and assessing damage.
Key questions
- Who was James Hansen?
- James Hansen was a dairy farmer, former Fraser Coast councillor and One Nation candidate. His body was found in floodwater near Maryborough.
- Where did James Hansen die?
- He drowned in floodwater just outside Boompah, near Maryborough, according to the report.
- Is the flood danger over in the Lockyer Valley?
- Water is receding and an emergency alert for Lockyer and Laidley Creeks has been cancelled, but saturated catchments and swollen waterways still pose a risk, and more storms are threatening the southeast.