Queensland: Urgent search underway as swimmers vanishes

Two swimmers have vanished after they were feared to have been swept away in a flash flood at a popular swimming hole in far north Queensland. 

Emergency services are frantically searching for the swimmers, who had been taking a dip at Mossman Gorge, 20km north of Port Douglas. 

The popular swimming spot is believed to have been affected by recent rain which raised water levels and may have been hit by a flash flood.

Emergency services are frantically searching for the swimmers, who had been taking a dip at Mossman Gorge, 20km north of Port Douglas

On Friday afternoon, a Queensland Ambulance representative said one road ambulance was on scene.

‘The rescue helicopter is on scene and has a critical care paramedic aboard,’ he said.

‘Two people have been reported missing just before 2pm in the water.

‘We were called at 1.54pm’.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services representative said the Swiftwater Rescue Unit was at Mossman Gorge.

The unit is both upstream and downstream and there are six firefighter crews at the scene.  

SES Regional Director Far North Wayne Coutts said staff and volunteers were part of the search for the missing swimmers.

‘We have members from Cairns North searching along the banks of the Mossman Gorge,’ he said.

On Friday afternoon, a Queensland Ambulance representative said one road ambulance was on scene

A Queensland Police spokesman confirmed officers were on scene.

‘We are searching for two people swept away,’ he said.

‘We have search co-ordinators there and the SES are bringing a drone crew to help with the search.

‘As this location is a commercial entity, Workplace Health and Safety have been advised, we are taking this very seriously.’