Kerre Woodham: Brave man shows us all the way

The rescuer has 'set us all an example of how to do the right thing'. Photo / Getty Images

The stories of heroism from the Queensland floods are awe-inspiring.

Strangers risking their lives to try to save the lives of others.

It's been amazing reading about people hurling themselves into that stinking, debris-strewn, maelstrom of water while trusting that a flimsy piece of rope can withstand a force that has seen cars flipped and carried downstream like plastic toys.

Like the story of the man who tried to rescue Donna Rice and her two boys who were trapped on the roof of their car as the flood waters swirled around them.

Somehow, he managed to reach the car but when he went to grab 13-year-old Jordan, the youngster said: "No. Take my brother first."

So the unnamed rescuer carried 10-year-old Blake to safety before setting back out to the car.

He had Jordan by the hand when the water flipped the car, snapped the rope and sent Jordan, his mum and his would-be rescuer into the torrent of water.

The rescuer managed to save himself but Jordan and his mum are confirmed dead. I hope that brave man doesn't think of who he couldn't save but focuses on the life he did and the fact he's set us all an example of how to do the right thing.