What happened?
According to the ABC News, the incident happened around 2:30 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2022. A tree fell on a car that was travelling along South Rock Road in Woodend, a suburb of Melbourne. The car was carrying two people: a woman and a man.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while the man was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. An ambulance spokesperson said that the man was in a stable condition.
The cause of the tree falling is still under investigation by the police. They have urged anyone who witnessed the crash and has dashcam footage or other information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential report online.
How did they respond?
The emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after receiving a call from the police. They included SES units from Sunbury, Gisborne and Woodend, who cleared the road and assessed the damage. CFA also had one crew on site to assist with the removal of the tree.
The road was closed for several hours as workers cleared away the debris and repaired any damage caused by the fallen tree. The police advised motorists to avoid South Rock Road until further notice.
What are some tips for preventing such accidents?
Tree falls are rare but can be fatal or injurious if they happen unexpectedly. Some of the factors that can contribute to such accidents are strong winds, heavy rain, lightning strikes, droughts, pests and diseases that affect trees.
To prevent such accidents, it is important to check your trees regularly for any signs of damage or decay. You should also prune your trees according to their species and size, and avoid planting them near power lines or buildings. If you notice any dead or dying branches or leaves on your trees, you should contact a professional arborist as soon as possible.
You should also be aware of your surroundings and avoid driving near trees that look unstable or pose a risk of falling. If you see any fallen trees on your property or nearby roads, you should report them immediately to your local authorities.
A tragic accident occurred on Thursday afternoon when a tree fell on a car in Woodend, Victoria. The driver and the passenger were rushed to the hospital, but one of them did not survive. The cause of the tree falling is still under investigation by the police.
Tree falls are rare but can be fatal or injurious if they happen unexpectedly. To prevent such accidents, it is important to check your trees regularly for any signs of damage or decay, prune them according to their species and size, avoid planting them near power lines or buildings, report any fallen trees on your property or nearby roads immediately.
