Inverell and Ashford emergency services combine to rescue B-Double driver after he tried to cross flooded Ashford Road causeway

It is the second "almost identical" incident in 18 months on the crossing, with suggestions that the lack of depth markers makes it deceptive to judge.

NSW SES Inverell unit deputy commander Joerg Gruenfeld said the unit faced a nearly identical situation almost two years ago with a car, which ended up being swept away down the Macintyre River.

In this instance, the B-double carrying cattle pellets was washed off the causeway on Pukawidgi Road between Graman and Bukkulla, at about 7.30am on Saturday.

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Mr Gruenfeld said the driver realised his mistake in attempting to cross the water "just too late".

He allegedly attempted to reverse back up the steep incline leading to the river, but wasn't able to gain enough traction.

"With little choice left he nosed into the water to attempt a reverse run up, ultimately the silt at the edge of the crossing gave way and he was stuck and pulled further into the water," Mr Gruenfeld explained.

Two ambulance crews, Inverell Police Officers and Highway Patrol Officers, Ashford SES, RFS, and Inverell SES and Fire and Rescue were all involved in the rescue.

By the time they arrived, the river level had risen significantly and an inflatable raft was used to reach the up stream door to extract the driver.

Mr Gruenfeld told the Times that when the driver was stuck, the water level sat below the windows. In the time it took crews to get there, there were more than several inches filling the cab.

"A little damp and a lot embarrassed the man was assessed by paramedics before being given the all clear," he said.

After police carried out investigations, the Inverell SES team took the driver back to town for a warm breakfast and to wait for family to pick him up.

The road remains closed and is predicted to stay that way for some time.

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With the Inverell Shire having had many rain events of three or four days since the first car was washed away, and for them to have only had two rescues in that time, he said it was clear that the Shire is pretty conscious of the risks.

"Especially when you think about how many rescues the Tamworth and Manilla crews had to carry out - over eight - in that time," he said.

He thanked the other emergency agencies and teams for their combined effort, and said the Ashford and Inverell units always worked well together.

"It all gels, and we come together and work to get it done."

But while he commends the Shire for being responsible, he still reminds drivers: "at the end of the day, if it's flooded forget it, it just isn't worth the risk."

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