DRIVER KILLED IN FREAK ACCIDENT AS 25-METRE TREE FALLS ON HIGHWAY
FAMILY members of a Bayview Heights woman killed by a falling tree on the Gillies Range were in a vehicle ahead just metres away.
The 38-year-old woman, the driver, and a passenger, a 26-year-old man also from Bayview Heights, were travelling up the Gillies Range just before 9.20am on Saturday when a large tree fell directly on top of the vehicle.
Emergency services were called to the Gillies Highway, at Gadgarra, where extensive efforts were carried out to free the pair. Crews were able to cut off the passenger door to the vehicle and the man was extricated.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said he sustained minor head and limb injuries and was flown to Cairns Hospital via rescue helicopter in a stable condition.
The woman suffered critical injuries due to the impact of the falling tree. She died at the scene.
Sergeant Scott Ezard of the Cairns Forensic Crash Unit said the tree was estimated to be about 25 metres long and weighed about seven tonnes.
Chainsaw crews were called in as well as a crane to remove the tree from the scene.
“It fell directly on top of the driver at a bit of an angle so the passenger didn’t sustain the full force of the tree,” Sgt Ezard said.
“He’s very fortunate to have survived.
“Family were also in another vehicle directly in front.
“They came back to render assistance but unfortunately weren’t able to.”
Sgt Ezard said the incident was a tragic accident.
“The Gillies Range Road, it’s not an uncommon thing for trees to fall, but it’s very uncommon for it to actually fall directly on top of a vehicle,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate incident. We pass on our thoughts to the families following this tragic event.”
The death is the fourth on Far North roads so far this year.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.