A police officer has described the moment he braved surging floodwaters to save three people trapped in a car.

The one-man rescue operation saw Senior Constable Richard Hansen save a trio whose car was submerged roughly five metres from dry land.

Officer Hansen was able to use a rope as a safety line to dive into the floodwaters and pull out the group, which included a four-year-old boy.

Mr Hansen told Mark Levy he was surprised but, with his experience, he was able to remain calm.

“Working in the country you sort of adapt to situations quite easily,” he said.

Police District Commander Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey APM was full of praise for the heroic officer.

“If he didn’t do what he did in the matter that he did it, the press conferences we’ve done today and this interview today might’ve been a significantly different one.”

Mr Humphrey reminded drivers to use “common sense” as major flood warnings are already in place in the Hunter region.

“If you come across a flooded causeway, don’t drive across it … it’s not rocket science!”

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Image: Nine