Comedian rescued from floodwaters on the way to Melbourne Comedy Festival
A prominent Australian comedian had to be rescued from floodwaters near Lismore while travelling to the Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Akmal Saleh and his wife Caite were attempting to travel from their home near Byron Bay to Ballina Airport late yesterday so the comedian could get to Melbourne for his 2022 Comedy Festival show, which begins tonight.
Because of rising flood waters in the area, Akmal decided to take the long way to Ballina via Lismore in his ute to “try and outsmart the flood.”
But things turned sour within minutes.
“It didn’t even look that deep. It was my fault. I said ‘Just keep driving, it’s fine, it’s not that deep’,” Akmal told Ross and Russel.
“Within three minutes the car is airborne and spinning around and water is coming right up to almost my chest in the car.”
Akmal, his wife and his very expensive guitar were rescued by locals in a canoe.
The comedian eventually managed to make his way to Melbourne, and is ready for his show, which kicks off tonight!
“We live in a very biblical kind of place, but it’s very pretty when it’s not on fire or underwater,” he said.