With Australia enduring wild weather across multiple states in recent days, a survivalist has shared an important video on how to break out of a car if trapped in floodwaters.
Mike Stanek, who has more than 10,000 subscribers on YouTube, outlined how to break free of a vehicle using a headrest as a ‘weapon.’
The important advice comes after a Sydney student died in his car stuck in floodwaters, despite desperately trying to break out.
Police said there was evidence 25-year-old Ayaz Younus had fought to get out, but investigators fear the water had broken the car’s electrical systems – trapping him inside.
Expert Mr Stanek stressed the need to strike the glass window firmly on its side, and to always look to aim for the corners as they are not as sturdy.
In the video, the glass shatters a few seconds after Mr Stanek gets to work.
American survivalist Mike Stanek revealed how to break out of your car in case it is trapped in floodwater
A partially submerged car abandoned after floodwaters in the NSW suburb Windsor this week
Mr Younas died after electrical systems in his car failed when it became stuck in floodwaters – leaving him trapped inside
Triple zero operators were on the phone to Mr Younus, 25, for half an hour when they lost contact with him after he made several desperate attempts to escape his vehicle on Cattai Ridge Road in Glenorie, on Sydney’s northern outskirts, early on Wednesday morning.
The Pakistani national was on his way for a job interview when he drove into rising water and became stuck.
Emergency crews arrived at the scene about 6.30am, and recovered the man’s body at 1pm after locating a submerged Toyota Camry.
NSW Police Detective Inspector Chris Laird said the Sydney student called 000 at 6.25am and remained on the line with the operator until about 7am.
He said the roads had multiple signs and road closure warnings, yet the car was located 30 metres into flood waters and six metres under water.
There was also a padlocked gate blocking off the road, but it was submerged.
Detective Inspector Laird suggested the car’s electrical system may have failed.
Vehicles travelling over a flooded causeway on the Gold Coast on Monday (pictured) as some drivers braced the floods
Police on the scene where Ayaz Younus, 25, tragically drowned on Thursday at Glenorie, in Sydney’s north-west
Pakistani national Ayaz Younus was reportedly on his way to start a new contracting job in a hire car when he drove into rising water and became stuck.
‘We can only speculate as to why he couldn’t get out of the car and initial examination shows he made all reasonable attempts,’ he told reporters.
‘Also too, the remote location of the area, (we’ll ask) questions about what he was doing up there… he may not have known the area as locals would.’
In Queensland, a desperate search for David Hornman, 38, ended when his body was found inside his ute in the Gold Coast Hinterland on Wednesday afternoon.
The 38-year-old father was last seen on Monday and had not contacted his family since heading to a job in the Tamborine area, where torrential rain caused flash flooding this week.
His ute was spotted earlier in the day in the flooded Canungra Creek.
Mr Hornman’s desperate wife was active on social media before confirmation of the tragedy, appealing for help from anyone who saw him.
‘He didn’t turn up to work and hasn’t been able to be reached since. His phone is turned off,’ Angela Hornman posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
‘I just have to know he’s OK. Please tell him no matter what I LOVE HIM.’
The body of David Hornman was found in floodwaters on the Gold Coast hinterland on Wednesday
Mr Hornman’s car after it was found floating in the flooded Canungra Creek on the Gold Coast
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese made statements in federal parliament commemorating the 25-year-old.
Mr Morrison labelled Wednesday a ‘terribly sad day’, saying he knew the area well from childhood camping trips and empathising with the man’s family.
He thanked NSW emergency services for their work.
‘We have seen so much over the course of the past year and more as this country has battled so many things – floods, fires, viruses, drought and now these floods again,’ Morrison said on Wednesday.
‘Now this family will get this news and they will grieve.
‘Around them, activity will occur as the flood waters recede and the clean up begins, but their house will be dark and their grief will be great.’
Treacherous rivers around flood-stricken NSW will remain swollen into the weekend – but are unlikely to rise further as weather conditions ease.
Some 24,000 people in NSW were evacuated from their homes but the torrential rain that has battered the state for the week has finally settled.
About 60,000 people have nevertheless been told by the State Emergency Service to be ready to evacuate, with major flood warnings still in place for the Macintyre, Gwydir, Clarence and Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo rivers.
The Bureau of Meteorology now predicts there will be no major rain for at least a week.
The welcome reprieve in the weather paved the way for defence personnel and emergency service workers to get essential supplies to isolated communities, particularly North Richmond in Sydney’s north-west, where floodwaters continue to rise.
It will also enable the extensive clean-up process to gradually begin.
