By Jed Lanyon
Local SES Units were in high demand once again in the Yarra Valley as strong winds continued to wreak havoc in the region.
Upper Yarra SES had their hands full dealing with several fallen trees and damaged property.
VicRoads announced the closure of the Black Spur on Monday 31 August as a result of heavy winds the night earlier.
Crews were required to remove debris and clear the site between Healesville and Narbethong.
A 36-year-old woman from Parkdale died after a tree fell on a vehicle in Fernshaw on 27 August.
Police believe a utility vehicle was travelling along the Maroondah Highway when it was struck by a falling tree about 6.50pm.
The woman, who was the front passenger, died at the scene. The driver, a 24-year-old Flinders man, was transported to hospital with minor injuries.
Following several months of road closures, VicRoads removed and or pruned 167 trees along the Black Spur in a bid to improve safety.
The works came about following incidents of motorists being hit by falling trees. In August last year a woman was killed, while three other passengers were seriously injured when their vehicle was struck by a tree on the Black Spur.
