Jabiru Police rescued two people yesterday after they became stranded in flood water on the Arnhem Highway.

At about 1:45 pm yesterday police received reports that a vehicle had been washed off the road at Wildman River West crossing.

Police attended the crossing and located a bus stranded on the flooded road way. It appears the stranded party was travelling to Jabiru when the 60-year-old male driver attempted to cross the floodway. About 600 metres into the 1 kilometre stretch of flooded road the engine stalled and the driver was unable to restart the vehicle.

A member of public on Jabiru side of the crossing had a grader he was transporting to Darwin and assisted police to retrieve the stranded bus and its two occupants.

The couple from Queensland were successfully rescued and conveyed to Jabiru by Police.

The Bus unable to be driven was left on the side of the road to be retrieved today.

Police subsequently closed the road at 3:30 yesterday when the water was approx 1.2m over the road.

Superintendent Helen Braam commended the member of the public who assisted in the rescue.

"Without his assistance the rescue of the bus and occupants would have been much more difficult. Once again I implore people to check the depth and speed of the water before crossing".

"Creeks and floodway's rise very rapidly, but they also decrease just as rapidly. Have a little patience; add an hour added to your journey is worth it, if you arrive alive and with an intact vehicle" she said.

Rickie Scoot

8985 8837

0458 307 870