The daring rescue unfolded about 5pm on Saturday when police received a triple zero call for two children stranded in rising waters at Carroll, between Tamworth and Gunnedah.

Specialist SES flood water technicians and police raced to the river where the 17 and 15-year-old boys were stranded in a tree after the swollen waters got too much for their kayak.

SES volunteers used a flood boat to rescue the two teens, who weren’t injured, but Namoi controller Andrew Galvin said it was a very lucky escape.

“We’ve seen lots of tragedies in previous times where children who were playing in flood waters got into trouble,” he told The Leader.

“They were very lucky [on Saturday], because even though it might look like fun or be a bit of a buzz, because we see it, it only takes a split second and it could end in tragedy.

“Our volunteers put themselves at risk everytime we do a rescue and we’ve had this twice this week.”

A motorist had to be rescued by in Tamworth last week after driving into a flooded causeway.

Mr Galvin said the saturated catchment had most rivers roaring with strong currents.

“They’ve all got very strong flows in them, and it’s not a good time to go in for leisure activities in rivers in those conditions,” he said.

“There is a heightened risk at the moment and people need to be aware of it.

“Some of these flooded causeways or rivers might not look dangerous, but the velocity with the water can sweep a car off or wash away the road at any minute.

“We would always remind everyone never to enter, ride or drive through flood waters.”