This was published 3 months ago
Two injured as large tree branch falls near Shrine of Remembrance
By Lachlan Abbott and Angus Delaney
Two people have been rushed to hospital after a large tree branch fell on them near Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
Police said two men and a woman from Sydney were leaving the Shrine and walking down steps towards St Kilda Road when they were struck just before 1.30pm on Tuesday.
“One of the men, aged 21, and a woman, aged 57, were taken to hospital with suspected serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” police said in a statement.
“The second man, aged 56, was lucky to escape with a few scratches.”
Police said an arborist will assess the tree, which has been cordoned off as thousands of New Year’s Eve revellers start to travel to the Shrine, which has been designated as one of four family-friendly zones to see the fireworks.
The City of Melbourne said the nearby precinct was unaffected and would continue to be open on Tuesday evening.
“Our thoughts are with those injured and their loved ones,” a council spokesperson said. “As this incident is currently being investigated, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
Fire Rescue Victoria said: “Firefighters arrived on scene within five minutes to find there was no one trapped but multiple injured patients.”
Ambulance Victoria said paramedics assessed three people.
“A woman in her 50s was treated for upper body injuries and was transported to The Alfred hospital in a serious condition,” Ambulance Victoria said in a statement.
Emergency workers remove a branch that fell near the Shrine of Remembrance on Tuesday, injuring two people.Credit: Luis Ascui
“A man in his 20s was treated for lower-body injuries and was transported to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition. No emergency treatment or transport was required for the third patient.”
3AW caller Craig told the radio station emergency services had gathered near the corner of St Kilda Road and Coventry Street when he drove past around 2pm.
“A massive tree has come down on the staircase, probably about 40 metres just north of the Shrine,” he said.
The branch snapped off a large gum tree near St Kilda road.Credit: Luis Ascui
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