A volunteer firefighter has been killed, two others burnt and a fourth firefighter injured while battling a fierce blaze in the Upper Murray.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Rural Fire Service vehicle rolled when hit by extreme winds at the Green Valley bushfire, near Jingellic, on Monday.
Samuel McPaul, 28, died at the scene and two others were burnt and taken to hospital.
A second vehicle working in the same area rolled, with the firefighter onboard injured and taken to hospital.
NSW Police said the Rural Fire Service volunteer had been a passenger when the truck rolled on a property at River Road, Jingellic, about 5.50pm.
The truck had three men on board, with a second passenger, aged 39, airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne in a serious condition suffering burns.
The driver, 52, was treated at the scene then taken to Holbrook hospital with minor injuries. He has since been released.
"It's believed the two passengers were firefighting from the refuge area behind the main cabin when the vehicle rolled," a police statement said.
Murray River Police District officers established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic officers.
A report will be prepared for the coroner and inquiries continue.
The RFS released a statement sending condolences.
"The service's thoughts are with all the firefighter's families, friends and fellow brigade members," a spokesman said.
There were limited details released, but SES volunteers could be seen attending the area on Monday afternoon.
Members of the public also took to social media to express sadness at the tragic event.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted about the "terrible news".
"These are testing times. We are so grateful for the courage and dedication of our firefighters," he said on Twitter.
Also on social media, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian described the death as "heartbreaking".
"A brave firefighter has lost their life protecting the community east of Albury," she said.
The fire had started at Talmalmo, about 13 kilometres north west of Walwa, on Sunday.
The news comes after Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, died when a tree fell into the path of their tanker, causing it to roll, as they were travelling in a convoy near the town of Buxton earlier this month.
