Helicopters Take to the Skies as Flooding Swallows Macrossan Bridge
The Macrossan Bridge in North Queensland has been submerged due to heavy flooding, prompting locals to utilise helicopter services for transport and supplies.
When the bridge into town gets swallowed by raging floodwaters, sometimes the most reliable way in and out is through the skies.
North Queensland's Macrossan Bridge is the gateway to the outback on the Flinders Highway, the main road link from the coast to Charters Towers. But days of torrential rain have seen it engulfed by the swollen Burdekin River, bringing traffic to a standstill.
Charters Towers publican Mark McPherson was returning from Townsville with a load of alcohol when he discovered the bridge had gone under. He used the services of a local helicopter company to fly four kegs, boxes of spirits and cartons of cans and stubbies across the water.
"People are calling me a hero. [It's] enough to last us a week. If it's still raining in a week, I'll have to do the whole thing again," he said.
Helicopters have become a familiar sight in the sky above the Macrossan Bridge. Local pilots have been offering $80 flights to bring people and supplies across the floodwaters, with hundreds of customers taking advantage.
"Everything from medical supplies, food, water, personnel and an 18th birthday cake," pilot Jordan Freeman said. "The price we're charging is literally just for fuel to help people out in this time of need."
Emergency service personnel and healthcare workers have been the priority, but plenty of locals have taken up the offer too. "There's obviously lots of concerts happening down south, so a lot of people we've been flying over have had suitcases because they're going to Luke Combs -- so I think they've been very grateful for the service," Mr Freeman added.
Others, like families needing to travel, have found the service invaluable. "I'm hoping we get back from Bali and life's back to normal," remarked a traveller.
Wendy Fielder and her chihuahua Smidgy became trapped in Charters Towers after a trip to Torrens Creek. She described getting a helicopter out as an "unreal" experience, though her pet was quite anxious, saying, "Not for [Smidgy] though -- she is shaking."
The bridge's closure has caused chaos for truck drivers. Steve Bone has spent two days in a queue of dozens of prime movers near the river's edge, unable to turn around with his truck filled with mail destined for Innisfail.
Charters Towers Mayor Liz Schmidt stated that when the river recedes, the Macrossan Bridge would need to be assessed before it is deemed safe for use.
