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Body found in search for good Samaritan swept away in far north Queensland floodwaters

Thursday January 5, 2017 - 16:34 EDT
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SES crews joined the search for the 60-year-old this morning. - ABC

The body of a good Samaritan who was washed off a bridge in far north Queensland has been found.

Alfonso Muoio at Tolga on the Atherton Tablelands about 6:00pm on Wednesday.



The 60-year-old lived close to the bridge and had been trying to warn motorists of the rising waters, police said.

The search began last night but was suspended about 11:00pm, picking up again early this morning with an extensive air and ground search.

Police Sergeant Bill Stanley said the farmer's body was found about 11:00am by a friend operating a helicopter.

"He's been located deceased in the Barron River which is outside of Spring Creek where he was last seen," Sergeant Stanley said.

He said Mr Muoio's family was distraught.

"Absolutely devastated, you know they are just very, very sad at the moment," he said.

The Tablelands Mayor, Joe Paronella, said Mr Muoio was a long-time resident in the area and was well known.

The area was smashed with more than 110 millimetres of rain throughout Wednesday.


- ABC

© ABC 2017

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