A group of campers in Victoria have had an incredibly lucky escape after a massive tree fell within inches of their set-up.
The tree reportedly fell at the Yarrawonga Common camping ground, crushing a Subaru Outback 4WD and a tent.
Incredibly, no one was injured.
The Daily Mail Australia reports that concerned campers said the near-death incident was a good reminder not to park underneath big or old trees – which are more likely to fall over on windy nights.
The campers posted images taken in in the aftermath of the terrifying incident to Facebook, showing just how close they came to tragedy.
Experts have long warned the public had to be cautious around trees, especially in high winds.
Trees can drop limbs, or entire trees can fall, without warning and there is no way of determining when a tree might fall or drop a limb.
Trees may be particularly prone to dropping a limb or falling when they are under stress. This stress may include: high wind; extreme temperatures or sudden changes in temperature; drought; fire; compaction; and flood.
Experts at Parks Victoria say that when a tree falls there is no way of predicting which way it will fall so it is important to stay clear of trees in all directions.
They say a limb falling from a tree often does not fall straight down. The limbs may bounce against other limbs and swing out well beyond the drip line (the edge of the canopy) of the tree.
Sadly, this latest incident in Victoria is not the first of its kind.
In 2019, a group of campers were lucky to escape with their lives after a huge gum tree branch fell across their campsite at Twin Knobs Beach at Cobram in Victoria.
In 2017, a long-term grey nomad described how he had an incredibly lucky escape while camping at Frank Potts Reserve area near the South Australian town of Langhorne Creek.
In 2016, a man was killed on a camping trip after a large gum tree fell on him in the Conondale National Park in Queensland.
A few years before that, a woman was killed when a tree branch fell on her at a campsite at Boorhaman, north of Wangaratta in Victoria. Another camper — a woman in her 40s — was also trapped under the branches of the red gum tree, but was pulled to safety and escaped with minor injuries.
Similarly, a couple staying near the Bluewater Caravan Park in Townsville a few years suffered serious injuries after a tree fell on their caravan.
And it’s not just at campsites, when the unexpected can happen. A few months ago a massive limb from an African Mahogany tree fell on a van in the Darwin CBD.
And one grey nomad couple even had a tree fall on them as they drove along the Glenelg Highway in Victoria.
“Fell within inches” more correctly a direct hit
Sad to see I chatted to a parks officer about pruning dangerous trees & was basically told ” what would I know ” because I am not an arborist to which I replied ” how would you feel if it was your kids ” he then made a no need to be personal & left !!!
they ues to be called widow makes hundred years ago swag man or cattle drovers would camp under them for shade and then this would happen to them.
Same thing just happened to our Victorian Family whilst camping in Gunbower two nights ago, can’t believe they all got out with only minor scraps & bruises, 20 members all camping when a large tree just fell over, took out one car and numerous tents and campers, 1:30 am, our niece heard a cracking and went out to investigate, then yelled for everyone to get out as the tree was about to fall! Lots of individuals stories as to why they are all still here to talk about it, very very lucky for no one to have been killed let alone seriously hurt!
Fallen tree seems to have large hollows ….
For those who camp in the outback, the rule is never camp under a tree, no matter how inviting. I guess the same “rule” should apply everywhere. Luck escape though!