Why two women were in Gympie’s ‘love tunnel’ storm drain when they died from flooding – while a third mate narrowly escaped with her life

Two women explored an infamous ‘love tunnel’ before being swept to their deaths by floods – while a third female companion barely escaped with her life.

Helen Bradford, 40, and Tanya Hehir, 46, were exploring the 2.4km tunnel near the Queensland town of Gympie, north of Brisbane, when they became involved in wild weather caused by ‘cyclonic’ Boxing Day storms.

The pair were washed back down the drain into the Mary River, while a third woman, 40, was able to reach safety despite her injuries and call for help.

A major rescue operation was launched with the state emergency service, water police, police divers and helicopters assisting in searches.

Mrs Bradford’s body was found by swift water crews at the entrance to the tunnel at Kidd Bridge at around 7.10pm on Tuesday. Ms Hehir’s body was recovered near Gympie Weir on Wednesday afternoon.

Locals reminisced about time spent in the ‘love tunnel’ – an iconic local stormwater system and favorite among teenagers in the Gympie region.

Residents said the tunnel was an ancient meeting place where teenagers could explore for hours without the prying eyes of their parents.

“I couldn’t count how many times we walked through there as kids,” one said.

The women were washed back into the Mary River down the drain, while a third woman, 40, was able to jump to safety and call for help despite moderate head injuries.

Locals reminisced about time spent in the love tunnel (pictured) after a photo of the stormwater drain was posted on a Gympie community page in 2021

“My father threatened me with death if he caught me there,” wrote a second.

A third commented: ‘I would spend hours there… so dark I couldn’t even see your hand in front of your face.’

“Go in for love, come out with tetanus,” wrote a fourth.

The 2.4 km long tunnel stretches from the banks of the Mary River to the city center.

According to locals, the drain has two exits: one near the Gympie Civic Center and the other near Cullinanes Plaza.

Mrs. Bradford worked at the Coffee Club and was an avid cyclist, runner and hiker who enjoyed climbing mountains and following wilderness trails.

Ms Hehir was also an avid runner and outdoor enthusiast who had hiked the iconic World War II Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea.

Both women were mothers and Ms Hehir had two children.

Residents said the Gympie Love Tunnel (pictured) was an ancient meeting place where teenagers could explore for hours without the prying eyes of their parents

Pictured L-R: Victims David ‘Mario’ Logan, Mia Holland-McCormack and Stephen ‘Taity’ Tait

Mia Holland-McCormack, 9, (pictured) died on Boxing Day after being swept away by flooding as she jumped the fence of her family’s Rochester South home

A total of seven Queenslanders and three Victorians died in the storms.

The youngest victim of the ‘mini-cyclones’ that hit southeast Queensland was nine-year-old Mia Holland-McCormack, who fell into a drain on Boxing Day.

Mia, who was severely autistic, was reported missing earlier that afternoon after jumping the fence of her home in Rochedale South, south-east Brisbane.

Earlier on Thursday, the third victim of a shipping tragedy caused by the ‘mini cyclone’ was identified as 48-year-old Robert Holden.

Holden died along with former Queensland rugby players David Logan and Stephen Tait when their boat capsized in Brisbane’s Moreton Bay on Boxing Day.

Robert Holden (pictured with wife Michelle) has been identified as the third victim of a boat capsizing during wild storms on Boxing Day

Mr Holden is remembered as a ‘great man who always put the needs of others before himself’

The deceased men were part of a group of 11 friends who were thrown into the water off Green Island when 60mph winds hit the area, blocking visibility.

While the eight others on board were rescued, the bodies of Mr Logan, Mr Tait and Mr Holden could only be recovered in the aftermath of the storm.

Queensland Police Acting Chief Inspector Andrew Pilotto said it would have been a terrible last few moments for the three men.

“There were reports of people seeing it happen… but the conditions were horrific and visibility was limited to a few metres,” he said.

“I know the wind was over 60 miles an hour…I’ve been out on the bay about half the time and the swell is crazy. I imagine it was great.’