Murray River Police District’s Southern Riverina officer in charge Inspector Paul Huggett said the man had been celebrating with friends and family in the Wattletree Beach area at Barooga.
After he went to bed about 9.30pm Saturday, another person in the group got in to a nearby car.
‘‘It rolled and even though every attempt was made to miss the man, it rolled over the top of him. The wheel had locked,’’ Insp Huggett said.
‘‘Services were contacted but the man was deceased at the scene.’’
The incident is being described as an unfortunate ‘freak accident’, with Insp Huggett saying what happened is ‘‘not an every day occurrence’’.
He said while campers should make every effort to ensure their camp grounds are safe, no-one could have prepared for an incident such as this.
‘‘We do ask people to make sure keys are out of the ignition, the hand brake is on and, if they can, to chock up the wheels.
‘‘But then you don’t chock up your wheels at the supermarket carpark either.
‘‘Things like this do not happen every day.’’
Officers from Murray River Police District are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the incident and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. Information is treated in strict confidence.
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