Reported
Person rescued from grain silo in Dunolly
A person was rescued after becoming trapped in a grain silo on Thompson Street in Dunolly, Victoria, on 6 October 2026. The Country Fire…
Agriculture Dunolly, VIC
Record summary
- Date
- Friday 3 October 2025
- Time
- About 5:15pm
- Location
- Coutts Crossing, NSW
- Employer or operator
- Rural Fire Service NSW
- Type
- Struck by falling tree
- Deaths
- None reported
- Injured
- 1Volunteer firefighter, 50s, head, spine, pelvic injuries
What happened
Incident Overview
On Wednesday, 3 October 2025, a volunteer firefighter aged in his 50s was struck by a falling tree while conducting back-burn operations near Coutts Crossing in northern New South Wales. The man sustained head, spine, and pelvic injuries and was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he remains in serious but stable condition.
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) has launched a formal safety investigation into the incident. Senior RFS officials, including Deputy Commissioner Kyle Stewart and Assistant Commissioner Viki Campbell, have visited the injured volunteer in hospital.
Site and Time
The incident occurred on a fireground near Coutts Crossing at approximately 5:15pm local time on Wednesday, 3 October 2025. The volunteer was working in difficult terrain where back-burning operations were underway to contain several kilometres of active fire edge as part of a wider multi-brigade response across the Coffs Coast.
Persons Involved
Injured Firefighter
- Volunteer firefighter, aged in his 50s, based in Coffs Harbour; RFS captain rank (serious but stable condition)
Others Present
- His wife, a deputy captain in the same brigade, was also on the fireground at the time and is being supported by RFS staff
- Multiple brigades from across the Coffs Coast deployed for containment operations
Plant and Task
Task
- Back-burn operation to contain active fire edge during bushfire suppression at Coutts Crossing
- Work undertaken in difficult terrain with multiple kilometres of active fire perimeter
Injuries / Fatalities
Fatalities
- None reported.
Injuries
- Volunteer firefighter: head, spine, and pelvic injuries; airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital; serious but stable condition
Emergency Response
Emergency services were called to the fireground at approximately 5:15pm. The injured volunteer was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital for treatment of head, spine, and pelvic injuries. The firefighter was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, which RFS operations manager Ian Smith indicated may have prevented more severe injury.
Investigation Underway
The RFS has confirmed a formal safety investigation will be conducted into the circumstances of the incident. The investigation will examine what led to the falling tree and identify lessons to protect firefighters on future firegrounds. Assistant Commissioner Viki Campbell noted that falling trees are a prevalent risk on firegrounds and that the RFS continually reviews safety procedures to minimise risk during back-burning and hazard reduction operations.
“Falling trees are just such a prevalent risk on our firegrounds. This incident highlights just how much firefighters put on the line.” — Assistant Commissioner Viki Campbell, Rural Fire Service NSW
Broader Context
Falling trees and debris are among the leading causes of non-fire-related injuries during bushfire operations, particularly in areas weakened by drought or previous burns. With NSW’s bushfire season underway, safety concerns for volunteer crews remain a major focus for the RFS.
In Summary
The RFS is conducting a formal safety investigation and welcomes any additional information from firefighters, volunteers or witnesses present on the Coutts Crossing fireground on Wednesday, 3 October 2025. Those with relevant information are encouraged to contact the RFS directly or report to NSW Police. Contact the RFS on 1300 368 734 or visit the NSW RFS website for further details.