A tragic accident at the popular Victorian ski resort of Mount Buller has claimed the life of one man and left a woman fighting for her life in hospital, following severe weather that has battered the state's north-east.

Fatal Incident on Mount Buller Road

Emergency services rushed to Mount Buller Road at approximately 9:15 am on Monday morning following reports that a tree had collapsed onto a moving vehicle. Despite the rapid response from Victoria Police and Advanced Life Support paramedics, a male passenger in the car suffered fatal injuries and tragically died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

The female driver of the vehicle sustained serious upper-body injuries. Paramedics stabilised her at the scene before she was transported by road to Wangaratta Hospital in a serious condition.

Authorities have closed Mount Buller Road in both directions as rescue and clearing operations continue. Significant delays are expected to persist for an extended period, blocking access to and from the alpine resort.

Resort Activates Emergency Shelters

In response to the closure, Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) has opened the Mount Buller Sports Hall to provide shelter and warmth for stranded resort visitors who are unable to leave the mountain. ARV officials advised overnight guests to remain in contact with their accommodation providers for updates on travel conditions.

Victoria Police have confirmed that an investigation into the circumstances of the crash is currently underway. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Widespread Flooding and Storm Damage Across Victoria

The tragedy occurs amidst a severe weather system sweeping through the region, saturated by record-breaking rainfall. State Emergency Service (SES) crews in Victoria's north-east reported a grueling night, responding to more than 80 calls for assistance and executing at least five water rescues.

Emergency officials have warned residents and travelers that the ground is extremely wet, meaning rivers are highly susceptible to sudden and rapid rises. Motorists are urged to avoid unnecessary travel and never attempt to drive through floodwaters.

Further west, emergency services were also deployed to Lexton, north-west of Ballarat, where a driver and passenger had to be rescued from their vehicle after becoming trapped in rising floodwaters on the Sunraysia Highway. Local authorities have closed multiple roads across the Pyrenees Shire, including areas around Avoca, Lexton, and Beaufort, following more than 135 millimetres of rainfall since midnight.