A serious incident occurred in Williamstown, northeast South Australia, where a 70-year-old man and his dog were trapped in their utility vehicle after a gum tree fell onto it. This accident took place around 11:30 am on Warren Road, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
Local residents soon joined the efforts to rescue the man and his dog, using heavy equipment such as graders and chainsaws to remove the tree. Fortunately, both were liberated, although the man was subsequently taken to the hospital in serious condition, while his dog escaped without injuries and is being cared for.
After the rescue, emergency services continued their work to clear the area, towing away the damaged vehicle. The incident coincided with a cold front that brought powerful winds to the region, prompting a severe weather warning from the Bureau of Meteorology. On the day of the accident, Williamstown experienced wind gusts reaching up to 87 km/h, with even stronger gusts reported at various other locations in the state, including 102 km/h at Cape Willoughby and 98 km/h at Edithburgh.
This incident highlights the dangers posed by severe weather conditions, particularly during strong wind events, which can lead to such accidents.