Seven dead during bushfire emergency in state’s south, NSW

Police have confirmed a total of seven people have now died and two people are unaccounted for in bushfires impacting the state’s south.

Since Monday (30 December 2019), emergency services have responded to the following fatal incidents:

  • A 28-year-old NSW RFS volunteer firefighter died at a property on River Road, Jingellic, just before 6pm on Monday.
  • Two men – aged 29 and 63 – died at a property at Wandella, about 10km north west of Cobargo, on Monday.
  • A 70-year-old man was found dead outside a home at Yatte Yattah, about 6km west of Lake Conjola, last night (Tuesday 31 December 2019).
  • The body of a man was found in a burn-out car on a road off the Princes Highway at Yatte Yattah about 7.30am today (Wednesday 1 January 2020).
  • The body of a man was found in a vehicle on Wandra Road, Sussex Inlet, about 11.30am today. He is yet to be formally identified.
  • A body has been found outside a home at Coolagolite, about 10km east of Cobargo, today.

Inquiries are continuing, and reports will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Meanwhile, a 72-year-old man remains unaccounted for at Belowra, about 50km north west of Cobargo, and a 70-year-old woman remains unaccounted for at Conjola Park.

As the bushfire emergency continues, people are urged to obey direction of emergency services and to monitor the Rural Fire Service NSW website www.rfs.gov.au and www.livetraffic.com for road closures.

Emergency services are also reminding the community not to contact Triple Zero (000) unless there is an emergency.

If you are concerned about a loved one in a bushfire impacted area, visit https://register.redcross.org.au.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

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