Watch out! Mother's shocking injury during a casual walk reveals a 'one in a million' freak weather danger
- Replies 1
Australia's unpredictable weather has once again shown its capacity for sudden devastation, as a Melbourne mother's routine walk with her daughter turned into a harrowing ordeal. Stevie Virtue, 30, was struck by a falling tree in what she describes as a 'one in a million' freak accident, highlighting the dangers that can come from even the most benign activities during severe weather events.
The incident occurred in Dingley Village, Melbourne, where Virtue had just picked up her 7-year-old daughter, Paityn, from school. As they walked to their car, a 'huge' tree, toppled by strong winds, crashed down upon her. The CCTV footage from a nearby property shows the chilling moment when Virtue is hit, narrowly missing her daughter by mere seconds. The tree branch, which doctors estimate weighed over 30kg, fell directly onto Virtue's head, causing severe injuries.
This terrifying event is a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being vigilant during extreme weather conditions. The strong gust of wind that caused the tree to fall was part of a larger pattern of destructive winds that have wreaked havoc across southeastern Australia, leading to loss of power, damaged buildings, and tragically, even fatalities.
Virtue's injuries are severe, with two breaks in her neck that have left her unable to move for three months. The doctors initially feared paralysis, and while she is fortunate to have escaped that fate, her road to recovery will be long and challenging. She is currently unable to perform even the simplest tasks, such as making cereal for her children, due to the restriction on lifting anything over a kilogram.
The impact of this accident extends beyond physical injuries. Virtue, a hairdresser and disability support worker, is now unable to work in either of her jobs. Additionally, she is a full-time carer for her mother, a role she can no longer fulfill. The emotional and mental toll on Virtue and her family is immense, as they navigate this unexpected and life-altering event.
In response to the family's plight, a GoFundMe page has been set up to provide financial support during Virtue's recovery. The community's assistance will be crucial in helping the family maintain some semblance of normality and routine while Virtue heals and her partner, Addison, takes on the additional responsibilities.
The broader context of this incident is the trail of destruction left by the damaging winds that have swept across southeastern Australia. More than 30,000 Victorians have been affected, with some facing days without power. Wind gusts of up to 146km/h have been recorded, and the wild weather has forced school closures and issued warnings for damaging and destructive winds across multiple states.
As we witness the aftermath of these severe weather events, it's essential to stay informed and prepared. Our thoughts go out to those affected, like Stevie Virtue and her family, and we are reminded of the unpredictable nature of our environment. It's a sobering thought that a casual walk can turn perilous in an instant, and we must all take heed of weather warnings and take appropriate precautions to ensure our safety.
To our readers, have you experienced any close calls or witnessed the impact of severe weather in your area? Share your stories with us, and let's discuss how we can better protect ourselves and our loved ones from these 'one in a million' dangers.
The incident occurred in Dingley Village, Melbourne, where Virtue had just picked up her 7-year-old daughter, Paityn, from school. As they walked to their car, a 'huge' tree, toppled by strong winds, crashed down upon her. The CCTV footage from a nearby property shows the chilling moment when Virtue is hit, narrowly missing her daughter by mere seconds. The tree branch, which doctors estimate weighed over 30kg, fell directly onto Virtue's head, causing severe injuries.
This terrifying event is a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being vigilant during extreme weather conditions. The strong gust of wind that caused the tree to fall was part of a larger pattern of destructive winds that have wreaked havoc across southeastern Australia, leading to loss of power, damaged buildings, and tragically, even fatalities.
A Melbourne mum was hit by a falling tree while walking with her daughter, narrowly avoiding a fatal incident. Credit: Shutterstock
Virtue's injuries are severe, with two breaks in her neck that have left her unable to move for three months. The doctors initially feared paralysis, and while she is fortunate to have escaped that fate, her road to recovery will be long and challenging. She is currently unable to perform even the simplest tasks, such as making cereal for her children, due to the restriction on lifting anything over a kilogram.
The impact of this accident extends beyond physical injuries. Virtue, a hairdresser and disability support worker, is now unable to work in either of her jobs. Additionally, she is a full-time carer for her mother, a role she can no longer fulfill. The emotional and mental toll on Virtue and her family is immense, as they navigate this unexpected and life-altering event.
In response to the family's plight, a GoFundMe page has been set up to provide financial support during Virtue's recovery. The community's assistance will be crucial in helping the family maintain some semblance of normality and routine while Virtue heals and her partner, Addison, takes on the additional responsibilities.
The broader context of this incident is the trail of destruction left by the damaging winds that have swept across southeastern Australia. More than 30,000 Victorians have been affected, with some facing days without power. Wind gusts of up to 146km/h have been recorded, and the wild weather has forced school closures and issued warnings for damaging and destructive winds across multiple states.
As we witness the aftermath of these severe weather events, it's essential to stay informed and prepared. Our thoughts go out to those affected, like Stevie Virtue and her family, and we are reminded of the unpredictable nature of our environment. It's a sobering thought that a casual walk can turn perilous in an instant, and we must all take heed of weather warnings and take appropriate precautions to ensure our safety.
.png){kind=icon}
