A man and woman have been rescued from an island at the popular blue hole swimming destination just outside Armidale.
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The pair in their early to mid-20s, were winched to safety from flood waters after a call to the Armidale SES just after 5pm on Wednesday, December 8.
Armidale SES deputy unit commander Jock Campbell said a number of rescue agencies were activated including the SES flood unit.
"We had reports there were two people stranded on an island at the blue hole," Mr Campbell said.
"The Park had been closed by National Parks, but they still proceeded to conduct leisure activities therefore putting their lives and the lives of rescuers in potential danger."
Mr Campbell said SES swiftwater rescue technicians and supporting personnel attended along with two ambulances, police vehicles and the Rural Fire Service.
The SES had also called on special 'vertical rescue' personnel who are trained for cliff-side or steep embankment rescue efforts.
"We had specialist rescue equipment ready to start the extrication, but luckily the Westpac Rescue Chopper also attended and was able to winch them out to safety."
The helicopter crew were able to drop off the pair in a nearby field before SES transported them back to the car park at the blue hole where they were checked over.
"Luckily it was just a matter of being isolated and medically they were fine," Mr Campbell said.
Following further heavy rains overnight, Mr Campbell said further downpours quickly turned into flash flooding.
"With the moisture content as high as it is the rainfall is not being absorbed and is instead running off and causing flash flooding."
With the weekend and holiday season fast-approaching, Mr Campbell urges residents to be cautious.
"We ask anyone that is going out over the weekend that this rain is not going to let off and just be aware of the conditions," he said, and never enter floodwaters, they are extremely dangerous.
"If you find yourself in an emergency, contact Triple Zero."
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