A FAMILY who got stranded after their vehicle broke down during a torrential downpour in Far North Queensland used a drone to alert rescuers of their plight.
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The four adults and a young baby became stuck on the Kirrama Range Road west of Tully on Monday, after going for a drive to see Blanco Falls.
As the weather closed in as ex-tropical cyclone Imogen made her way south, the family decided to turn back.
But creeks had risen and their car stalled as they attempted a crossing and was unable to be started.
The family set up camp in a tent on the side of a dirt road and settled in for a long and wet night, as the road continued to flood.
One of the group decided to type out a message on his phone with their GPS coordinates to alert a family member of their position.
With no mobile reception in the area, the man thought to attach the phone to his drone and fly it high into the sky, in the hope it would find reception while mobile was automatically trying to re-send the message.
The text message was received about 8am the next morning and emergency crews swung into action.
The Kirrama Range had recorded 246mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on Tuesday.
Cardwell police and SES volunteers and joined Cassowary Coast Regional Council staff who provided a front end loader, set out to locate the group.
A number of fallen trees and landslides slowed the search, however, the group was found about 12.40pm exactly where their GPS coordinates had placed them.
The loader was used to remove the car and the family was taken to safety.
