'It can be really difficult': experts on how to avoid getting trapped in a submerged car during floods

Driving into water of unknown depth should be avoided - but if it can't be, winding down the windows beforehand is crucial

The deaths of two people whose cars became trapped in flood waters this week brought into focus the issue of vehicle safety.

On Wednesday, a 25-year-old Pakistani man, Ayaz Younus, died after his Toyota Camry became trapped in flood waters. Though Younus had called triple zero and managed to stay on the line for 40 minutes, police could not find him in time. On the same day, rescuers found the body of David Hornman, 38, in a submerged ute in the Gold Coast hinterland.