By Victoria Stone-Meadows
MOUNT Dandenong Tourist Road is closed in both directions and Olinda township is without power today after a tree fell on the road and a bus became stuck.
The tree fell across the road at 12.35pm on Wednesday, 3 February, blocking access between Monash Avenue and the Olinda-Monbulk Road, taking out high-voltage powerlines and causing minor damage to shops.
In an effort to avoid the fallen tree, a bus then became wedged at the intersection of Mount Dandenong Tourist Road and Everest Crescent, near the Cuckoo Restaurant.
Power Company AusNet have cut power to the area so SES crews can access the tree and assist VicRoads with the removal process.
Two cars are trapped under the fallen tree, with no way of knowing the extent of any damage until the tree is removed and the powerlines are made safe.
Jackson Evans of Emerald SES said the area had to be quarantined due the fallen powerlines.
“It will be some time before the powerlines are safe and VicRoads arrive in the scene to clear the road,” he said.
Another car was also clipped by the falling tree but no serious damage was caused to the vehicle and the driver is unharmed.
Sergeant Andrew Herdman of Olinda police said the tree removal will take the rest of the day.
“We will be here late into the evening making sure the road is cleared and safe for drivers to use,” he said.
“Until then we ask drivers to seek an alternative route and avoid coming up to Olinda until it has been dealt with.”
The bus may also block the road for some time before it can be removed.
“We need to make sure people are staying well clear of these incidents until we can be sure the area is safe again,” Mr Evans said.
“It would be best for people to seek an alternate route or avoid the area completely.”
