A “dedicated” volunteer firefighter has been killed by a falling tree while battling a bush blaze in New South Wales.
The Rural Fire Service volunteer was critically injured while working on a bushfire in the Walgett region, in the state’s northwest.
Commissioner Rob Rogers expressed his sorrow in a statement issued on Thursday evening, saying the man was helping protect the community.
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“This gentleman made the ultimate sacrifice. His tragic and untimely death is a solemn reminder about the dangers faced by our firefighters,” Rogers said.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and firefighting colleagues at this terrible time.
“We are offering every assistance to his family and fellow brigade members.”
Fellow firefighters rendered first aid until ambulance crews arrived and he could be transported to a Lightning Ridge medical facility, but he couldn’t be saved.
The tragedy comes just a month after another volunteer firefighter died after suffering a medical episode while battling a blaze in regional NSW.
The volunteer was battling a fire in Bean Creek, in the New South Wales Kyogle region, when he died.