SA: Kangroo Island man died fleeing the fire

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2007
SA: Kangroo Island man died fleeing the fire

ADELAIDE, Dec 7 AAP - A 22-year-old man has died in his truck as he tried to flee a
bushfire raging on Kangaroo Island's southern coast.

The man was found dead in the burnt out truck near Vivonne Bay yesterday.

Initial investigations revealed the vehicle had crashed.

Police forensic officers were heading to the island today to conduct further inquiries
into the death and prepare a report for the South Australian coroner.

Assistant Commissioner Madeleine Glynn said it was not yet clear whether the man died
as a result of the crash or the fire.

"At this stage it's being investigated as a vehicle collision," she said.

"But certainly, subsequently or as part of that the fire went through and he and his
truck were burnt.

"Which came first, we're not quite certain."

The Country Fire Service (CFS) said 12 fires, all caused by lightning strikes, threatened
properties at various locations on the island, destroying at least one shack and killing
300 sheep.

Seven fires were still burning today with the CFS expecting them to continue to pose
problems for at least the next 48 hours.

Properties in various locations remained under threat.

The CFS said it still had 270 firefighters on Kangaroo Island while police declared
the western side of the island a dangerous zone, prohibiting the movement of people into
those areas.

AAP tjd/jt/de

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES SA DEATH

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