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Four hurt as car swept away by floods

Four people have been treated for minor injuries after trying to drive along flooded roads near the Indigenous community of Burringurrah in Western Australia's Upper Gascoyne.

Police say the group was driving to Meekatharra for a medical appointment.

They were treated for dehydration after police found their car crashed into rocks on a riverbank about 120 kilometres out of the community.

Burringurrah police station's Senior Sergeant Richard Wells says the roads are closed for a reason and it is unsafe to use them.

"Unfortunately because of the heavy rains and the floods on the roads, they couldn't get very far and had to turn back," he said.

"By the time they turned back, another river had flooded beyond being reachable.

"Their vehicle tried to cross that river and with the strong current, the vehicle got washed off the road.

"Roads are closed for a reason and we need to respect that.

"Not only does it create an exorbitant cost in man hours and hiring planes and the help from SES [State Emergency Service] and the police report staff in Geraldton, it can be quite dangerous for officers going out to try and find people that are stuck."


- ABC

© ABC 2012

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