Man, 27, killed by falling tree at campground as southeast Australia smashed by severe storms

Wild weather across Australia’s southeast this weekend has turned deadly – with police confirming a camper has died after being crushed by a falling tree.

A camper has died after being crushed by a falling tree in Melbourne as severe thunderstorms continue to smash Australia’s southeast states.

The wild weather took a deadly turn at the weekend after police confirmed the man, 27, was killed after a fallen tree struck a tent and vehicle at a Kevington campground, about 180km northeast of Melbourne, on Saturday morning.

Victoria Police said emergency services responded to the incident about 3am at a campground, near Eildon Jamieson Road.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and police will prepare a report for the Coroner,” a spokesman said.

Lightning stretched from The Qld/NSW border to the southern tip of Vic at 5pm on October 18. A camper has died as a result of the wild weather over the past few days, into the weekend. Picture: Supplied / Weatherzone

Victoria was hit by severe thunderstorms on Friday. Picture: SES

The death came after Victoria was battered by thunderstorms on Friday, with strong winds and heavy rainfalls.

Over a 48-hour period the storm outbreak impact most of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.

Flash flooding was recorded in Melbourne’s southeast suburbs and Geelong, which recorded 50mm of rain in just 45 minute on Friday.

Victoria’s SES said the organisation received over 650 requests for assistance following the severe thunderstorms — 260 for flooding, 218 for building damage and 115 for fallen trees.

There was flash flooding in parts of Melbourne and Geelong. Picture: 9News

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said the worst of the weather had passed by Saturday.

“After a week which saw thunderstorms and severe storms pop up here and there around Australia, the thundery activity really peaked on Thursday and Friday with a low pressure system crossing the south east of the country on Friday,” he said.

“This has been gradually weakening and appearing away from the country through the overnight hours.”