A police operation is continuing after a man was swept into floodwaters about 25km north-east of Dorrigo yesterday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Wild Cattle Creek Bridge off Old Coramba Road, Megan, after a ute being driven across was swept into floodwaters.

The driver was able to get out of the ute and climb into a tree about 30m from the riverbank; however, emergency personnel were unable to reach the man before he was swept away. He has not been seen since.

Local police, Fire and Rescue NSW personnel and SES members conducted a search of the area without success.

With water levels across access roads continuing to rise, emergency personnel were withdrawn from the immediate vicinity due to the safety risk.

Acting Coffs/Clarence Police District Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty, said local police and emergency services have been attempting to access the area with weather conditions preventing the use of aerial assets and specialist rescue crews.

“PolAir 4 has been based in Coffs Harbour for the past three days and is assisting where possible with the flood effort; however, the crew’s search today for the missing man has been hampered by weather conditions.

“We are dealing with an evolving, dynamic weather event which presents unique search and rescue challenges.

“Aside from the severe local weather and flood conditions, we have a responsibility to keep emergency personnel and volunteers safe from unnecessary risk.

“The search and the assessment of the area has been ongoing by local police since this incident commenced.

“We are using local knowledge to collate information as to how the river system progresses and identify key access point. But, again, we will only be looking at where we can safely put our SES and police into those areas,” Det Ch Insp Flaherty said.

PolAir2 is leaving today to join the regional flood effort and will be based at Coffs Harbour.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.