Australia Weather News

Police have found the body of a 72-year-old man swept into floodwaters on the New South Wales north coast.

Officers had been searching for the man, who was swept away after driving into floodwater on Martin Road, Larnook, near Kyogle on Wednesday.

Police said that while the body had not been formally identified as yet, it was believed to be that of the 72-year-old.

The body was found by police divers in a nearby creek about 9:00am on Saturday.

Officers were told the man's vehicle was swept from a concrete causeway into Leycester Creek.

A friend of the man said he was forced to "helplessly watch" as the man was swept away during heavy rain.

The car overturned and witnesses said they saw the man climb from the car and hold onto a nearby tree, before he disappeared downstream.

Police and State Emergency Services volunteers searched for the man for several days with the help of the Westpac Rescue helicopter, but without success.

"Crime scene officers are in attendance and a report will be prepared for the coroner," a police statement said.