A forestry worker was killed by a falling tree near Colac yesterday.
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Paramedics were called to the incident on Colac-Lavers Hill Road about 2km south of Gellibrand at 1.57pm.
The man, 43, died at the scene. Police said the man had just felled a tree when he was struck by another tree, which was clipped by a reversing bulldozer.
Three WorkSafe inspectors from Geelong were at the site yesterday afternoon.
A WorkSafe spokeswoman said the man was working for a logging company.
Colac Otway Shire deputy mayor Lyn Russell said the death would have an impact on the community.
“When things like this happen small towns pull together,” she said.
“In Gellibrand people work hard together and support each other, especially in tough times.
“Gellibrand is a very small community of about 100 to 150 people.”
Cr Russell said a number of residents worked in the local logging industry.
“It could have happened when they were felling or loading, we don’t know,” she said.
“It will have an impact on the immediate and wider community if he lives and works in the area.
“There is not a lot we can do till we have all the details of who and what was involved,” she said.
It’s the ninth workplace death in just over three weeks and the 25th for the year.