Tragedy hits local family after ‘freak’ accident

Sergeant Shaun Hillier of Wangaratta Highway Patrol said the 45-year-old along with his family were driving out of the Loop Track at Yarrawonga attempting to escape a storm when the branch fell and landed on their moving vehicle.

“I believe their other route was blocked by a tree which is why they’ve decided to go the way they did, which is unfortunately where the incident occurred,” he said.

Sgt Hillier said the 45-year-old died at the scene, while the woman and boy were able to exit the vehicle before paramedics arrived.

He said the two locally-based family members were taken to Wangaratta hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“We offer our condolences to the family; we’re doing everything we can to support them and anyone else involved in the incident,” Sgt Hillier said.

“They were doing nothing wrong; they were simply trying to get out of the area when a severe storm struck.

“Unfortunately, when you’re in these areas and storms come through freak accidents like this do happen.

“It’s a terrible accident.”

Police will prepare a report for the coroner detailing the circumstances leading up to the fatality.