Man dies after tree branch crushes car in severe storm

In Victoria, Australia, an unfortunate incident occurred on the night of November 26, 2024, at the Loop Track camping area where a man was killed after a large tree branch fell on his moving vehicle. Emergency services responded promptly at approximately 7:10 PM after receiving notifications about the incident during severe weather conditions. Alongside the deceased, a teenage boy and a woman in her 50s sustained injuries and were transported to Northeast Health Wangaratta for treatment. Their injuries were reported to be serious but stable. The Bureau of Meteorology had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area, advising residents to shelter indoors amid the severe storm that affected many parts of Victoria. This storm was characterized by strong winds and heavy rain, leading to widespread damage across the region. Reports indicated that approximately 30 fallen trees were documented by Victoria's State Emergency Service during the storm. Meteorologists noted that the storm was part of a larger weather pattern that had brought unseasonably heavy rainfall to Victoria at the beginning of the week, caused by troughs moving down from northern Australia. The adverse weather persisted, and more severe thunderstorms were forecasted to occur in various regions of the state, including major cities such as Melbourne and Geelong. Meteorologists warned of damaging winds reaching up to 110 km/hour in the northeastern alpine areas of Victoria, raising further safety concerns. As the situation unfolded, millions of Australians were reminded of the risks posed by extreme weather conditions. Power outages had already been reported due to high electricity demand caused by the ongoing severe weather, exacerbating the challenges faced by local residents. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with severe storms and emphasizes the need for individuals to be prepared and stay informed during such weather events.