The Cooper Creek floodplain in far northern South Australia, where Tony went missing on Saturday, is part of one of the world’s last major free-flowing desert river systems and regularly floods, according to the CSIRO. Photograph: AAPView image in fullscreenThe Cooper Creek floodplain in far northern South Australia, where Tony went missing on Saturday, is part of one of the world’s last major free-flowing desert river systems and regularly floods, according to the CSIRO. Photograph: AAPMan’s body found after being swept away in outback flood watersThree-day search effort ends after 65-year-old disappeared near Innamincka in remote north-eastern South Australia on Easter Saturday
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Police have found the body of a 65-year-old man who was swept into flood waters in South Australia’s far north.
The man – identified only as Tony by South Australia police – disappeared about 12.30pm on Saturday, sparking a three-day search effort.
According to police, he disappeared on Cordillo Downs Road, Innamincka, in the state’s remote north-east.
“Despite efforts of emergency services and local volunteers, Tony was located deceased just after 10.30am,” police said.
“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.”
Throughout the search police worked closely with the man’s family and keeping them informed of search activity and outcomes.
“The search can’t be over until my poppy is brought home,” Tony’s granddaughter told the ABC before his body was found. “Alive or passed he deserves to be home with us.”
Search efforts involved aerial support, water operations officers, local police patrols and State Emergency Service personnel.
“The Cooper Creek system remains in flood, with fast‑moving water, submerged hazards and restricted visibility,” a SA police spokesperson said.
The Cooper Creek floodplain is part of one of the world’s last major free-flowing desert river systems and regularly floods, according to the CSIRO.
It spans a large area of south-west Queensland and a smaller section of north-east South Australia.
“It is among one of the most complex floodplains in the world and is by far the most complex floodplain in Australia,” the CSIRO states on its website.
Innamincka, where Tony disappeared, is more than 1,000km north of Adelaide and about 40km from the Queensland border.
