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Victoria specific bushwalking discussion. Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.Incredible footage of trees falling across the Black Spur
Sun 18 Jan, 2015 11:01 am
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... 54af134c55
AMAZING footage has revealed the heart-stopping moment around a dozen falling trees came within metres of crushing two cars during monster winds.
The dash-cam video — taken on the Maroondah Highway north of Healesville — shows bark, branches and debris from surrounding forest raining on the busy tourist route before a huge gum crashes in front of the vehicle.
The 4WD brakes heavily as more trees slam across the roadway in rapid succession.
A car about 100m down the road also comes to an abrupt stop as trees collapse in front of it.
The video’s Alexandra owner, who declined to be named, said he credited the split decision to stop rather than accelerate as he saw the around 30m gum falling for saving his life.
“These trees started falling like a deck of cards,’’ he said.
“One more second — in fact even part of a second — would have put me either under the tree or into the tree.
“I’m always aware of what’s around me and I think it paid off that day.”
The driver had been heading home when the wind storm whipped up in the Black Spur at Watts River Bridge, lasting just minutes.
“I was amazed at what had just happened,’’ the driver said.
“One tree coming down is one thing but when you have like a dozen it’s unheard of I think in one small area.
“I just want people worldwide — not just in Australia — to be aware of trees.”
Wind gusts of more than 80km/h were recorded in the area at the time of the December 29 incident, which occurred about 2.15pm.
The State Emergency Service received more than 380 calls on the day statewide — four of them for fallen trees causing a travel hazard on the Maroondah Highway at Fernshaw.
It took about 2.5 hours to clear the road, the blockage causing a mass traffic bank-up.
SES spokeswoman Sally Lowenstein said the video, posted online, showed the need for care when driving in strong winds.
“That’s one of our key messages during storms — especially on winding roads because you never quite know when the tree has fallen down and what might be coming around the corner,’’ she said.
“It looks like he was very lucky.”
AMAZING footage has revealed the heart-stopping moment around a dozen falling trees came within metres of crushing two cars during monster winds.
The dash-cam video — taken on the Maroondah Highway north of Healesville — shows bark, branches and debris from surrounding forest raining on the busy tourist route before a huge gum crashes in front of the vehicle.
The 4WD brakes heavily as more trees slam across the roadway in rapid succession.
A car about 100m down the road also comes to an abrupt stop as trees collapse in front of it.
The video’s Alexandra owner, who declined to be named, said he credited the split decision to stop rather than accelerate as he saw the around 30m gum falling for saving his life.
“These trees started falling like a deck of cards,’’ he said.
“One more second — in fact even part of a second — would have put me either under the tree or into the tree.
“I’m always aware of what’s around me and I think it paid off that day.”
The driver had been heading home when the wind storm whipped up in the Black Spur at Watts River Bridge, lasting just minutes.
“I was amazed at what had just happened,’’ the driver said.
“One tree coming down is one thing but when you have like a dozen it’s unheard of I think in one small area.
“I just want people worldwide — not just in Australia — to be aware of trees.”
Wind gusts of more than 80km/h were recorded in the area at the time of the December 29 incident, which occurred about 2.15pm.
The State Emergency Service received more than 380 calls on the day statewide — four of them for fallen trees causing a travel hazard on the Maroondah Highway at Fernshaw.
It took about 2.5 hours to clear the road, the blockage causing a mass traffic bank-up.
SES spokeswoman Sally Lowenstein said the video, posted online, showed the need for care when driving in strong winds.
“That’s one of our key messages during storms — especially on winding roads because you never quite know when the tree has fallen down and what might be coming around the corner,’’ she said.
“It looks like he was very lucky.”
Re: Incredible footage of trees falling across the Black Spu
Mon 19 Jan, 2015 9:09 am
Amazingly lucky that both cars were able to stop at either end of the tree fall and not get caught in the middle. I reckon I might of needed a change of underware if that happened in front of me.
Re: Incredible footage of trees falling across the Black Spu
Mon 19 Jan, 2015 1:46 pm
Snowzone wrote:Amazingly lucky that both cars were able to stop at either end of the tree fall and not get caught in the middle. I reckon I might of needed a change of underware if that happened in front of me.
I reckon it would have been a smelly car with us both in it. Awesome footage and lucky escape for both cars
Re: Incredible footage of trees falling across the Black Spu
Mon 19 Jan, 2015 2:33 pm
It must have been a seriously strong gust of wind to have brought the first couple of trees down. Those first two are a long way apart, and for them to have fallen simultaneously can really only have been to to high wind loadings.
The remaining ones in the middle are closer to those which have already fallen, and more likely to have fallen in consequence of the first two - either from being dragged down by entangled branches, or being uprooted from below.
The remaining ones in the middle are closer to those which have already fallen, and more likely to have fallen in consequence of the first two - either from being dragged down by entangled branches, or being uprooted from below.
Re: Incredible footage of trees falling across the Black Spu
Mon 19 Jan, 2015 3:27 pm
Lots and lots of rain in the previous days had made the soil soft and loose I would imagine. One or two trees falling isn't a really big deal but that many and being caught on camera sure is
Re: Incredible footage of trees falling across the Black Spu
Mon 19 Jan, 2015 7:04 pm
Welcome to living in the hills. Much ado about nothing exceptional.
Re: Incredible footage of trees falling across the Black Spu
Tue 20 Jan, 2015 4:35 pm
Turned out to a car accident once and a tree about foot in diameter fell and went straight through the windscreen and embed its self in the chair. Luckily there was no one in the passenger seat at the time. Been to lots of accidents but that one could have been horrific.
You never know when your times up.
You never know when your times up.
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