A MAN and his sister were forced to huddle together in the ceiling of their family home after a wall of water swept their parents to their deaths.

Sarah Norman yesterday told how her brother Sam punched a hole in the laundry ceiling and pushed their sister Victoria, 15, to safety after water flooded the brick home at noon on Monday.

"He went back to get Mum and Dad, but they had just gone. Victoria heard Mum scream," Ms Norman said.

Steve Matthews, 56, an electrician and former pastor and his wife Sandy, 46, a teacher's aide from Spring Bluff near Murphys Creek near Toowoomba, were found dead downstream on Monday afternoon.

They had four children, aged 28, 26, 20 and 15. Mr Matthews and his wife had been about to join their children when Mrs Matthews became trapped in the kitchen by a fridge that floated across a doorway.

As Mr Matthews went back for his wife a wall collapsed and both were swept away.

Family friend Jim Hitchener said Sam and Victoria spent an hour in the ceiling as trees crashed into the house and a "river of water" ran through the lounge and kitchen.

He said Sam then punched a hole through the roof and when the waters subsided he dragged Victoria to higher ground and they crossed a creek to reach their sister Sarah's home.

Ms Norman said although their parents would be sorely missed, they were together when they died.

Donna Rice, 43, and her 13-year-old son Jordon were the first victims of the Toowoomba flash flood. They died when their car was washed away.

A heartbroken Marge Rice last night confirmed the bodies of her daughter and grandson were found in the Toowoomba CBD by emergency service workers.

Originally published as We heard our mum scream as she died