By Romy Stephens
A Tecoma man was among two people killed in the Yarra Ranges from falling trees yesterday (27 August), after wild weather lashed Melbourne.
The 59-year-old man died after a tree fell on his vehicle just after 6pm.
Investigators have been told a car was leaving a shopping centre carpark when a tree fell and crushed the vehicle at the intersection of Terrys Avenue and Ena Road.
Police said the man suffered life-threatening injuries and has since died.
A 36-year-old woman from Parkdale died after a tree fell on a vehicle in Fernshaw that same night.
Police said it is believed a utility was travelling along the Maroondah Highway when it was struck by a falling tree about 6.50pm.
The woman, who was the front passenger, died at the scene. The driver, a 24-year-old Flinders man, was transported to hospital with minor injuries.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner for both incidents.
The incidents came as a severe storm front passed over the city yesterday.
According to Lilydale SES, over 160 requests for assistance were received in the region by early morning on 28 August.
“Sadly two people in separate incidents lost their lives when trees fell on their cars in Belgrave and Fernshaw,” Lilydale SES said.
“Our crews who responded to Fernshaw with the Healesville SES and SES Marysville Unit had to cut multiple trees off Maroondah Hwy so they and paramedics could even access the scene.”
As of 8.30am on 28 August, Victoria SES (VICSES) had received over 2100 calls for assistance.
Felled trees contributed to 85 per cent of calls and a further 10 per cent were to respond to building damage.
The most affected areas included Mount Evelyn (58 calls for assistance), Belgrave (55), Croydon (45), Lilydale (34) and Mount Waverley (30).
VICSES volunteers have cleared about 80 per cent of requests and are working through the remainder this morning.
Road users particularly across the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and the Yarra Valley are being urged to drive slowly in the conditions and be mindful of fallen branches and debris.
The deaths from tree falls are the latest in a series of similar incidents recently.
A 32-year-old man and 34-year-old woman, both from Aintree, and a 16-year-old boy from India were killed after a tree fell onto their moving car in Kallista earlier this year.
Meanwhile a father and son from Cockatoo were killed when a tree struck their car on Monbulk Road, Sherbrooke last year and a woman was also killed last year after a falling tree struck a car on the Black Spur.
Anyone who witnessed the Belgrave or Fernshaw crash or who may have dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
For flood or storm emergency assistance the public can call the SES on 132 500.
