Falling branch kills man, hospitalises wife and teenage son in Yarrawonga freak accident

Fresh details have emerged after a man was killed when a falling branch struck the vehicle he was driving. The man had been with his wife and teenage son on a camping trip at the Loop Track in Yarrawonga, in Victoria’s north when a a severe storm struck about 7.10pm on Tuesday. The trip were leaving the site when a number of branches fell, with one hitting the car. The man, 45, died at the scene. His teenage son was taken to Wangaratta Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, where he remains. A woman was also taken to hospital for observation. “They’re a local family and they were simply trying to leave the area when a severe storm struck causing a number of branches to fall from trees and unfortunately one of those collided with the vehicle,” Wangaratta Highway Patrol Sergeant Shaun Hillier said. “I believe the other route was blocked by a tree which is why they’ve decided to go down that route, and unfortunately that is when the incident has occurred.” Hillier said following the incident, police warned campers in the area and allowed them to decide whether to evacuate or remain. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Yarrawonga on Tuesday night, with residents urged to “shelter indoors immediately”. An Ambulance Victoria spokesman confirmed on Wednesday the woman was “in a serious but stable condition”, while the boy’s condition was described as “stable”. The identity of the man is yet to be confirmed. Police offered their condolences to the family. “Freak accidents happen, and unfortunately, that’s what this is,” said Hillier. A report is being prepared for the coroner with ongoing investigations into the circumstances of the incident.