Tasmania Police continue to hold grave concerns for two men who were swept away in flood waters at Ouse and Evandale.

Ouse

At Ouse, an 81 year old man was swept away in flood waters from his property around 8am yesterday morning.

The search and rescue operation to locate the missing man re-commenced around 8am at Ouse and continued throughout the day. Police are utilising police search and rescue specialists, marine police and SES staff and volunteers.

Police were unable to use the Westpac Rescue Helicopter due to low cloud and fog in the search area.

The flood waters surrounding the property where the man was swept away have started to abate, however the area is still significantly affected by flood waters. The search operations have been suspended until 8 June for safety reasons.

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Approximately 3.35pm, whilst searching for the missing person the ground search crews, consisting of 5 SES volunteers and a police search and rescue specialist located a kayaker in distress on the Ouse River.

The search party observed the man, standing on an upturned kayak, which was stuck in a tree in the flood waters. The man was wearing a life vest and was in company with a co-worker who was safe on dry land beside the flooded zone.

The search and rescue team conducted a swift water rescue procedure to safely return the male to the river bank.

Inquiries following the incident reveal that the man, in his mid 40’s had used the kayak in an attempt to access his private residence which had been cut off by the flooded river.

This incident serves as a timely reminder to people to heed previous safety messages not to enter into or drive through flood waters.

Evandale search

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, ground crews, and police boats scoured the Evandale area today, searching for a 63 year old man missing in floodwaters.

The man, from Riverside, and his companion, were swept away when they drove into floodwaters at Leylands Road. The woman was located and airlifted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, but searchers have not yet located the man.

The search will resume in the morning.