Fisherman survives falling tree

“IT was starting to rain so I started dragging my kayak in and emptying my shrimp net. There was a man and his son fishing on the bank and another lady walking her dog,” Jye explained.

“I was speaking with a lady about the weather who started to leave when I heard the crack, looked up and saw a tree falling toward me.”

“I just ran,” he said. “A branch hit me on the head and on my back, dislocating my shoulder. I needed seven staples in my head.”

“When I came to, I was sitting on the branch that hit me covered in blood. The woman must have called the ambulance and the man fishing was directing it to me.”

Jye was taken to GV Health base hospital where he stayed overnight.

“GV Hospital was really good, and the ambulance was very quick, no more than five minutes.”

Jye said he has heard more cracking and popping noises from trees since the flood. Flooding may damage trees by changing soil conditions, physical damage, and making them more susceptible to insects and disease, increasing the likelihood of falling or dropping branches.

Shepparton Regional Park remains closed after it was significantly impacted by floods and weather. For your safety and the safety of emergency services, you should avoid impacted areas.

Earlier the same day, Jye said he noticed another man fishing where the tree fell.

“I want to encourage people to be aware. If areas in the bush have been blocked off, it’s probably for a good reason. If you’re in the bush with kids or pets, then you need to be extra careful. It all happened so quickly.”