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Man dies when tree falls on moving car in Sydney during wild storm Man dies when tree falls on moving car in Sydney during wild storm
(about 2 hours later)
A man has died and a woman is in a critical condition after a tree fell on their moving car during a storm in Emu Plains, in Sydney’s west. A man has died after a tree came crashing down on the car he was travelling in, as wild storms pummelled Sydney’s west.
Emergency services worked for more than 40 minutes to free the man and the 60-year-old female driver after their car was struck at Emu Plains on Thursday afternoon.The man died at the scene and the woman was taken to Westmead hospital in a critical condition but by Thursday evening was stable, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Strong winds caused trees and power lines to fall across the city’s west, and lightning strikes sparked fires in the Blue Mountains.Strong winds caused trees and power lines to fall across the city’s west, and lightning strikes sparked fires in the Blue Mountains.
NSW police confirmed that a male passenger died after a tree fell on a car in Nepean Street, Emu Plains, on Thursday afternoon. It took emergency crews about 40 minutes to free the 60-year-old female driver who was taken to Westmead hospital in a critical condition. By early evening the SES had received more than 800 calls for help, mostly coming from suburbs in the city’s west and south.
“The storms that have come through seem to be fairly intense local impacts rather than widespread, resulting in really concentrated pockets of damage,” an SES spokeswoman said.
Damage like this keeping #FRNSW crews busy. #NSWSES 132500 - #storm damage. '000' for life threatening emergencies. pic.twitter.com/pKlazcxkViDamage like this keeping #FRNSW crews busy. #NSWSES 132500 - #storm damage. '000' for life threatening emergencies. pic.twitter.com/pKlazcxkVi
Emergency services were also working to rescue a number of people who became trapped in their car when a tree fell on it in a shopping centre car park on the Great Western Highway. A building partially collapsed on the Princes Highway at Rockdale after being struck by lightning, while a wall collapse and roof damage forced the evacuation of eight workers from four factories at Emu Plains.
Nepean hospital and Westfield Miranda called in emergency services after roof damage caused water leaks.
A number of people also had to be rescued from their car after a tree fell on it in a shopping centre car park on the Great Western Highway.
The Rural Fire Service responded to reports of three fires started by lightning strikes in the Blue Mountains. All three were in remote areas of bush and are not threatening homes.The Rural Fire Service responded to reports of three fires started by lightning strikes in the Blue Mountains. All three were in remote areas of bush and are not threatening homes.
Eight people had to be evacuated because of a wall collapse and roof damage at four factories in Emu Plains.Eight people had to be evacuated because of a wall collapse and roof damage at four factories in Emu Plains.
NSW police said there were reports of substantial damage to homes, cars and power lines in Emu Plains and Penrith.NSW police said there were reports of substantial damage to homes, cars and power lines in Emu Plains and Penrith.
More than 40,000 homes and businesses were left without power in parts of western Sydney, while about 38,000 were affected in the city’s north and south.More than 40,000 homes and businesses were left without power in parts of western Sydney, while about 38,000 were affected in the city’s north and south.
A power station also burst into flames in East Hills after it is believed it was struck by lightning.
“Crews are responding to multiple reports of wires down following lightning strikes and damaging winds,” an Ausgrid spokesperson said.“Crews are responding to multiple reports of wires down following lightning strikes and damaging winds,” an Ausgrid spokesperson said.
Emergency crews very busy with many trees & wires down & building damage in Mt Druitt #storm @Y7News @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/iEVdsDRcTnEmergency crews very busy with many trees & wires down & building damage in Mt Druitt #storm @Y7News @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/iEVdsDRcTn
On Thursday afternoon the Bureau of Meteorology issued a thunderstorm warning for much of the state, stretching from Goulburn to Coffs Harbour and across to Bourke. The Bureau of Meteorology cancelled a severe thunderstorm warning for the Sydney and Illawarra regions, but warnings were still in place for the mid-north coast, Hunter and Central Tablelands area.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Sydney, Wollongong, Orange, Tamworth and Dubbo,” the warning said.
Related: From drizzle to downpours: how NSW severe weather comparesRelated: From drizzle to downpours: how NSW severe weather compares
A severe weather warning had also been issued for flash flooding inland from Bega to Goulburn with up to 100mm of rain expected to fall in the region over a 12-hour period, the BoM says. A severe weather warning remained in place for heavy rain in the southern ranges, with potential for flash flooding.
Rain was expected to continue into the night with potential for up to 100mm to fall in areas inland from Bega to Goulburn.