About 9.50pm yesterday (Tuesday 31 January 2012), a 66-year-old man from Coutts Crossing was driving towards Grafton and tried to drive across a low-lying flood-affected road.

The car he was driving has become immersed in water and stopped. It appears the man got out the car and entered the water which was approximately 160cm deep and was swept into a culvert and washed underneath the roadway. A passing motorist has seen the car in the water, stopped and commenced to search for the driver.

Police attended the scene and discovered the owner of the car was a local man. They commenced a search and located the body of the man about five metres from the car and attempted to revive him without success.

Police are now preparing a report for the Coroner.

Superintendent Mark Holahan, Coffs/Clarence Local Area Commander and Local Emergency Operations Controller, said this was a tragic incident which could have been avoided.

“Along with the NSW State Emergency Service we have been urging people whether they are driving, walking or riding, to never enter flood-affected areas,” he said.

“Our simple message is – if it is flooded, forget it.

“With rain continuing to fall we are urging the community not to take risks, to listen to the emergency services and to take care.”

Members of the public seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500 or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au.

For the latest on road closures members of the community can visit the website www.livetraffic.com or contact their local councils. Members of the public can also visit www.emergency.nsw.gov.au for a range of flood-related information. For all other emergencies, the public should contact Triple Zero.

With rainfalls of up to 200mm overnight, flooding continues across the area. Rainfall averaging 80-100mm is expected, with the potential for very heavy, localised falls up to 250mm in the Tweed area.

There is a high potential for flash flooding in the area and the Bureau of Meteorology has a Severe Weather Warning in place.

There are also eight Flood Warnings, a Flood Watch and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in place. People in the affected areas are advised to check the Bureau of Meteorology’s website for updates on the warnings.

The NSW SES has deployed members to the areas of concern, including Flood Rescue Technicians and Incident management Teams. At present there are over 110 requests for assistance that have been received and multiple flood rescues have been undertaken.

The Northern Rivers will continue to be the focus for today, with the Tweed and Chinderah areas of particular concern. Holiday makers in the area are asked to listen to local radio stations for updates on the situation and be prepared to act.

With heavy rainfall, motorists are urged to drive to the conditions of the day, and to avoid any unnecessary travel. Road information can be obtained from the RTA through the Live Traffic website or by calling 131 700.

If you require flood or storm help, call the SES on 132 500.

Remember, never ride, drive or walk through floodwater and stay clear of rivers, creeks, stormwater drains and causeways as heavy localised falls may cause flash flooding.

Road closure information.

About 4.30pm (Saturday 21 January 2012), a 35-year-old Korean National was swimming with three friends in the Richmond River at an area known as ‘The Spit’, near the Missingham Bridge.

Police were told all four swimmers were in up to their waists when all have come into difficulty.

A local surf instructor noticed the men and went into the river to assist, and managed to get three of the swimmers back to shore.

It was then noted that the 35-year-old man was still missing.

Police were called and a search for the man commenced utilising a jet boat rescue vessel and the Westpac Helicopter.

The man was pulled from the water unconscious and was unable to be revived.

Inquiries are continuing.

Strike Force Hyperion comprises detectives from the Drug Squad’s Cannabis Team, with assistance from the NSW Police Air Wing, Police Dog Unit, Radio Electronics Unit and officers from Richmond Local Area Command.

During the past week, Strike Force Hyperion officers targeted more than 60 cannabis crop sites throughout Richmond Local Area Command, including Kippenduff, Rappville, Clearfield, Busby Flat, Mummulgum, Bulldog, Drake, Nimbin, Blue Knob, Kyogle and Tabulam.

A total of 3734 plants were located and seized by police during the operation.

The total estimated potential street value of the plants seized during the past five days is $7.5 million. All plants seized by police have been now been destroyed.

The Cannabis Eradication Program has been running since the mid 1980s, with the NSW Police Force preventing almost $240 million worth of cannabis reaching NSW streets.

As in previous years, the 2011-2012 operation will see police conduct a number of similar raids over the next few months in an ongoing effort to target cannabis cultivation.

Acting Commander of the State Crime Command’s Drug Squad, Detective Acting Superintendent Steve Patton, said the Cannabis Eradication Program aims to disrupt the cannabis supply chain in NSW by targeting the source.

“Illegal cannabis growers choose their growing locations based on the mistaken belief that police won’t find them,” Det Acting Supt Patton said.

“However, as we prove with this program every year, we have the resources to find these crops and put a dent in the cannabis market.”

About 3.45pm yesterday (Saturday 14 January 2012), two Sydney women were sunbaking on Pippi Beach in Yamba when they were approached by three young people.

One of the youths, armed with a large stick, allegedly attacked one of the women, striking her on the back of the head and shoulders.

The youths then rummaged through the women’s bags, taking a wallet and cash, before running from the scene.

Police were contacted and immediately commenced a search for the youths.

Two youths, aged 15 and 12, and matching descriptions provided to police, were sighted on Robinson Street shortly after the search commenced. However, upon spotting police, the youths ran into a nearby golf course.

Police pursued them, arresting one in the golf course and the other at a property in Robinson Street a short time later.

The third youth, an 11-year-old, was arrested in nearby bushland.

All three young people were taken to Yamba Police Station.

The 15-year-old was charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (in company), resisting arrest, breaching bail and having suspected stolen goods. She was refused bail to appear via video link at Parramatta Children’s Court today (Sunday 15 January 2012).

The 11-year-old and 12-year-old were charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (in company). Both were granted conditional bail to appear before the Maclean Children’s Court on 14 February 2012.

The constable, who is a serving officer attached to Northern Region, was served with a future court attendance notice today (Thursday 5 January 2012), charged with assault with act of indecency and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The charges relate to the alleged indecent assault of a woman at her home in Goonellabah on Saturday 5 November 2011.

He is due to appear in Lismore Local Court on Thursday 16 February 2012.

The officer’s duty status is under review.

About 10:30am, Tuesday 3 January 2012, a 60-year-old man was riding his motorised bicycle south along Coolamon Scenic Drive when he was allegedly hit from behind by a white van.

The van driver allegedly failed to stop at the scene and the 60-year-old man was found by a passing surf lifesaver. The injured man was taken to Mullumbimby Hospital where he died.

Detectives from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command and officers from the Ballina Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene and commenced investigations into the incident.

About 10am yesterday (Wednesday 4 January 2012), police attended a house in Nashua where they arrested a 53-year-old man and seized his white Toyota Hiace van for examination.

The man was taken to Byron Bay Police Station where he was charged with murder and dangerous driving occasioning death.

He has been refused bail to appear in Lismore Local Court today (Thursday 5 January 2012).

Police would like to thank members of the public for their assistance with the matter, however, would still like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to police.

Anyone with information that could assist police with their inquiries is asked to contact Byron Bay Police or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

About 6.45am today, Byron Bay Police received information that a black Mercedes Benz was seen in Bayshore Drive at Byron Bay.

Police attended to confirm that information and a 26-year-old man was found asleep inside the car.

He was arrested without incident and taken to Byron Bay Police Station.

Inquiries are continuing.

About 10am, Tuesday, 3 January 2012, police were called to Synotts Road following reports a cyclist had been hit by a vehicle.

A passing Surf Life Saver stopped at the scene and rendered first aid to the man, who had sustained serious head injuries.

Paramedics were called to the scene and the man, believed to be aged in his late 30s, was taken to Mullumbimby Hospital where he died.

A crime scene has been established on Synotts Road, with officers attached to the Ballina Crash Investigation Unit examining the scene.

The driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the scene and police are continuing investigations to identify and locate the vehicle and the driver.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about the identity and whereabouts of the driver or the vehicle is urged to contact Byron Bay Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The five-year-old girl suffered critical head injuries after being thrown from a Holden Barina when it left the Pacific Highway, near Broadwater, and hit a tree shortly before 3pm yesterday (26 December).

She was taken to Lismore Base Hospital where she died early this morning.

The driver of the car, a 49-year-old woman, from Melton in Victoria, escaped injury.

An eight-year-old boy, also from Melton, escaped with minor injuries, grazes and bruising. He has since been released from Lismore Base Hospital.

Both children were travelling in the back seat.

Lanes in both directions of the Pacific Highway were closed to allow the helicopter to land and remained closed for more than two hours while the scene was examined.

Officers attached to Ballina Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or the events leading up to it, is urged to contact the Ballina Crash Investigation Unit or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.