A firefighter has died in NSW in a national park after being struck by a tree in a bushfire emergency area.
Emergency services were called to Little Nugra Road, Nerong at 10.45pm on Sunday, following reports of concern for a man’s welfare.
The area, around 90km north of Newcastle, has been hit by ferocious blazes in recent days as soaring temperatures and dry conditions create horror conditions.
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On arrival, emergency services were told a man, who is a firefighter with the National Parks and Wildlife Service team, had been struck by a tree.
Paramedics attempted to assist the man, however, he died at the scene.
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the death on Monday, adding that the Government was in the process of contacting the firefighter’s family.
“It’s a very sad day for firefighters and the NSW community. We’ve lost a firefighter from the National Parks team,” Mr Minns told Nine.
“Authorities are in the process of contacting that firefighter’s family, so I can’t say much more than that
“We’re heartbroken by this news. It’s devastating and it’s a reminder of what keeps the public safe.
“This is many ways a dangerous profession, and we’re deeply indebted to the men and women that devote their time to keeping us safe. This is terrible news today.”
The Bulahdelah bushfire, which is just north of where the man died, is currently over 3,414 hectares in size and is classified as “being controlled”.
“A bush fire is burning south of Booral Road and on both sides of the Pacific Highway,” NSW RFS said in an update on Monday.
“Firefighters have held the fire south of Booral Road in the Crawford River area, however the southern edge of the fire is still burning parallel to the Pacific Highway in a south and south westerly direction.
“Cooler weather has eased conditions across the fireground.”
It is understood that the man was not fighting a fire at the time of the incident. However, more details, including the man’s identity, have not yet been released.
It comes after a horror bushfire weekend in NSW, which saw 16 homes destroyed by a blaze north of Sydney on the Central Coast.
