The Westpac Rescue Helicopter today was called to assist in the rescue of two men in flooded rivers in Northern Tasmania after heavy rain in the area.

In the first incident a man had become stranded when his 4WD utility was washed off a road crossing the St Pauls River near Avoca. After contacting emergency services he stayed in his vehicle as the river rose around him. Local emergency services were unable to access the vehicle in the flooded river and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter attended. A rescue crewman was winched onto the roof of the vehicle and the 79 year old man from Orford winched into the helicopter and taken to a nearby ambulance.

The helicopter then went to an area near Evercreech where a 58 year old man had become stranded in his caravan. He had been camping by the banks of the South Esk River when the river rose and inundated his vehicle and caravan. He was also winched from the scene into the helicopter.

Both men were cold and wet but otherwise unharmed.

Police again caution to people to take care in flood affected areas, drive to the conditions and not to try to cross flooded bridges and causeways.