Incredible footage of trees falling across the Black Spur
Posted: Sun 18 Jan, 2015 11:01 amhttp://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.”