A 57-year-old Inverell man was stranded on a roadway after his vehicle was washed away on the Silvermines Rd.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service was despatched to Inverell to assist in the rescue after the emergency services were denied access due to the rapidly rising floodwaters.

The water was at least four metres over the causeway which made it impossible to cross.

With the assistance of Elsmore residents and their UHF radios, the officers were able to communicate with those closer to the scene.

District Ambulance officer (Macintyre division) Garry Baldwin said the assistance of these people was invaluable in keeping them updated.

“Because we couldn’t get through it made it difficult and their help is greatly appreciated - it was a good result as there were no major injuries,’’ Mr Baldwin said.

The helicopter arrived and transported the man to the rescue area where he was treated.

In an unrelated incident, three men were also stranded on a property close by and had to be rescued and transported to safer ground.