Coroner finds UTAS manager Jacinta Vanderfeen died from falling tree in wild winds

A University of Tasmania manager died when she was crushed by a falling tree at Beulah during wild weather conditions, a coroner has found.

Jacinta Vanderfeen (left).

A University of Tasmania manager died when she was crushed by a falling tree at Beulah during wild weather conditions, a coroner has found.

Railton woman Jacinta Fay Vanderfeen, 54, and her husband had gone to a friend’s house to help them, after a tree had fallen on their house in high winds, on June 11 last year.

Jacinta Vanderfeen (left).

In her newly-published findings, Coroner Olivia McTaggart said the couple was helping with safety and retrieving their friend’s personal belongings from the house when they returned to their car, but were struck by a large falling gumtree.

The winds at nearby Sheffield were recorded at 111km/h on the afternoon in question.

Mrs Vanderfeen was pinned beneath the tree, while Mr Vanderfeen was injured.

Emergency services arrived, finding Mrs Vanderfeen had died.

“I am satisfied upon the evidence that she died rapidly after the tree impacted her body,” Ms McTaggart said.

“With difficulty, Mr Vanderfeen was able to be evacuated. He was treated in hospital for two weeks with numerous injuries.”

Ms McTaggart said she acknowledged the efforts of everyone who placed themselves at risk to help in what was “a dangerous, difficult and tragic scene”.

Mrs Vanderfeen worked as a university manager of workplace diversity and inclusion and was widely respected for several roles across Tasmanian Aboriginal communities, including the Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation in Devonport.

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