Man seriously injured after tree crushes excavator

Rescue crews rushed to a property at Coonarr near Bundaberg after a large tree came crashing down on the cab of an excavator, destroying it completely, while a man in his 60s was inside.

A man in his 60s was seriously injured after a tree fell on the cab of the excavator he was operating at a Queensland property on Saturday afternoon.

According to Lifeflight, who attended the incident, the tree crushed the vehicle’s roof completely.

The incident occurred on a private property off Chattin Rd, Coonarr, at 2.16pm, about 20km south of Bundaberg.

The man had been clearing land at the time and suffered significant leg and arm injuries and was freed from the excavator by fireys.

On Saturday afternoon, a Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said the man was breathing and conscious following the event.

The Sunshine Coast based Lifeflight rescue chopper was tasked to the scene at 3.30pm.

The man was treated and stabilised by Queensland Ambulance Service Paramedics, before being airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, suffering leg and other suspected injuries.