Trapped motorist becomes first fatality in Australia floods

Buildings are partially submerged as floodwater covers large areas north west of Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Some 18,000 residents of Australia’s most populous state have fled their homes since last week, with warnings the flood cleanup could stretch into April. (Lukas Coch/Pool Photo via AP)

A motorist trapped in a car has become the first fatality of floods on Australia’s east coast.

The car was trapped in floodwater at dawn and emergency services recovered the car with a body inside on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.