Gellibrand: Man killed and woman fighting for life after a tree falls onto their car in freak accident
A man has died and a woman is in critical condition after a tree fell on their car during high winds.
The pair were trapped in the car for more than an hour after a tree fell on Main Road at Gellibrand, 175km southwest of Melbourne, on Wednesday afternoon.
The male driver died at the scene, while his female passenger was taken by helicopter to hospital, where she is fighting for her life.
The man has not yet been officially identified.
An investigation has been launched into the precise circumstances of the incident.
People who witnessed the incident or who have camera or dashcam footage are requested to come forward.
Damaging wind gusts also caused power outages and felled trees, with warnings still in effect in large parts of the country.
According to Angus Hines, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, wind gusts of up to 110km/h are expected on Wednesday. Parts of Adelaide, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales could see wind gusts of up to 100km/h.
A man has died and a woman is in a critical condition after a tree fell on their car (pictured) in Gellibrand, 175km south-west of Melbourne on Wednesday
The male driver died on the spot (photo) while his female passenger was taken by helicopter to hospital, where she is fighting for her life
“Winds of up to 110km/h are possible in northern and western parts of Tasmania, including the islands, as well as in the Illawara district of southern New South Wales and possibly some mountain peaks in Victoria,” Hines said.
There have already been reports of fallen trees and branches, power outages and damage to loose structures.
‘There is still a chance of power outages in the southeastern states today and damage to loose structures such as patio furniture, garbage cans, fences and trampolines is possible due to the strong winds blowing there.’
Mr Hines added that ‘much of central and southern Victoria will continue to experience damaging wind gusts on Wednesday, easing this evening.
‘Southern New South Wales, including the Illawarra and parts of the Sydney region, may also experience gusty winds this afternoon and this evening.’
Victorians were previously warned to ‘take action now’, with people in the state’s most heavily treed areas asked not to travel as winds were expected to topple trees.
Victoria SES operations director Tim Wiebusch said on Tuesday that people across the state should take action now to secure loose items in yards.
“All too often we see outdoor venues, trampolines and the like being used as missiles at these types of events,” he said.
NSW SES has responded to more than 500 incidents of fallen trees, damaged roofs and downed power lines as damaging winds continue. Photo: NSW SES
Tim Wiebusch, Victoria SES’s operations director, said: ‘All too often we see outdoor venues, trampolines and the like becoming rockets at these types of events’
He has asked all Victorians to download the Vic Emergency App, which contains the latest advice from emergency services.
“Make sure you stay up to date on the warnings,” he said.
‘This advisory report contains the most recent information … about wind phenomena, but also about warnings of dangers on the coast.
‘We are therefore asking Victorian residents to be vigilant on the roads over the next 36 hours and to keep a close eye out for fallen trees and debris.’