One of the two women who drowned in a weir on Boxing Day has been identified as a mother and outdoor adventurer.
Gympie local Tanya Hehir, 46, was out ‘exploring’ popular stormwater drain known as the ‘Love Tunnel’ on a trail next to the Mary River near the small southeast Queensland town at about 2.30pm on Tuesday.
A freak storm cell hit the region dropping 18mm of rain on Gympie in less than 20 minutes and causing wind gust speeds to reach 100km/h.
Ms Hehir and two friends, aged 40 and 46, were washed through the drain and out to the river by a sudden surge of water.
The surviving 46-year-old woman suffered moderate head injuries but was able to reach the bank of the river to call for help.
Queensland mother Tanya Hehir (above) drowned in a weir after a freak storm hit Gympie on Tuesday
A massive search was launched for the two missing women in the river, with the party reaching as far as Widgee Crossing some 5km away.
The 40-year-old woman’s body was found by swift water rescue workers at about 7.10pm Tuesday, near the entrance of the drain.
Ms Hehir’s body was found about midday Wednesday near the weir.
She was a grand master of the region’s Hash House Harriers, a non-competitive international running group, having been a member since 1992.
Her passion for outdoors adventure saw her complete walking, running, and hiking trails, including Kokoda.
Ms Hehir was one of seven Queenslanders killed in the severe storms that hit southeast Queensland on Christmas and Boxing Day.
More than 47,000 are still without power due to damaged cause by the deadly system.
Ms Hehir (above) was a grand master of the region’s Hash House Harriers, a non-competitive international running group, having been a member since 1992
Three men lost their lives when the boat they were in flipped in Moreton Bay.
Mia Holland-McCormack, aged nine, drowned in floodwaters in Rochedale South.
A Gold Coast woman also died after being struck by a falling tree while walking to her home in the middle of a storm.