Teenager Disappears Down Stormwater Drain Pipe During Recent Flooding

A teenage boy is lucky to be alive after being sucked into a drain pipe during a recent storm. The Mareeba, QLD boy was swept into the stormwater drain pipe after entering a flooded area on one of the main streets in Mareeba. Amazingly, he resurfaced from a drain pipe several blocks away with only minor injuries.

Stormwater Drain Pipe Takes Teenager

The 15-year-old boy got caught up in the recent Queensland flooding where cities across Queensland have been hit with heavy rain for weeks. The teenager was whisked into a drain at the intersection of James and Basalt Street during the huge downpour.

Floodwater - stormwater drain pipe safety — Source: Canva

Police were called to the scene and located the boy several blocks away on Reynolds Street. The teenager had travelled through the drain pipe due to the heavy rain and, incredibly, only experienced minor injuries including cuts and grazes. The teenager was transported to the hospital for assessment.

After the incident, Mareeba Police Sgt. Daley Boney reminded the public that drain pipes are NOT safe, especially during the wet season:

“We strongly advise parents to highlight these dangers to their children, to ensure they aren’t putting themselves in unnecessary risk by playing in stormwater drains, rivers and parklands,” Sgt. Boney said.

“There is also the chance that wildlife like snakes, spiders and even crocodiles could be moving about the flooded waterways, which pose a separate risk. “The wet weather is expected during this time of year, but it does not mean we should be complacent.”

Drain Pipe Dangers: Not an Isolated Incident

You may think this doesn’t happen often and it’s not really something to be concerned about. It actually happens a lot more than you may think, especially in areas prone to flooding such as Far North Queensland. A man was recently rescued from a Brisbane drain pipe after being stuck in there for an estimated 36 hours.

On Boxing Day in 2023, two women lost their lives after walking in a well-known stormwater drain in Gympie, Qld. One other woman survived the incident as she washed back out of the drain system and was able to cling to the sides and escape the current.

I’ve seen several children playing in stormwater drains during the wet season and several of our local creeks are also next to drains. In fact, last year, I experienced a similar situation to the teenager above and was swept into the drain after swimming too close to the area.

Scariest Moment of My Life

A group of us went down the creek on floaties and some of us got too close to the drain pipe and were unable to get out before being sucked through.

Being stuck underwater and knowing the other side could easily be blocked by a tree or water was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. The survival instinct kicked in and I was able to swim back up through the pipe and cling to the edge. Thanks to the assistance of several locals, I was pulled up the ledge and to safety.

However, the others I was with were not so lucky. They simply couldn’t hold on and we watched as they let go through the pipe, not knowing if they would surface or be stuck.

Luck was on our side and they all surfaced on the other end, battered, bruised and bleeding but okay. It taught me a very valuable lesson and I’ve yet to be back to that particular swimming hole. I’ve also heard of several others who have experienced a similar situation and have urged the council to do something about it.

Please, if you are swimming near a drain pipe, just don’t. Go somewhere else. If your children are playing in flood waters, bring them back inside. Being swept away can happen in literally an instant. Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it. It’s simply not worth the risk.