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Boy, 4, among three people killed in Melbourne storm

A young boy has died after a tree fell on top of him during wild storms in Melbourne that claimed two other lives in separate incidents.

The four-year-old was hit by a tree in Blackburn South, in the city’s east, and later died after being rushed to hospital, Victoria Police confirmed to Yahoo News Australia.

The wild weather across Victoria, which saw winds of more than 100km/h, also led to the death of a 59-year-old man in Belgrave, also in Melbourne’s east, and a 36-year-old woman in Fernshaw, northeast of the city.

The man was leaving a shopping centre when a tree fell on his vehicle at the intersection of Terrys Avenue and Ena Road shortly after 6pm.

A police officer inspects the area of the fallen tree in Blackburn South. Source: Nine
A police officer inspects the area of the fallen tree in Blackburn South. Source: Nine

The woman was a passenger in a ute driving along the Maroondah Highway when it was struck by a tree about 6.50pm. The male driver, 24, sustained minor injuries.

Police are preparing coroner's reports for all three incidents.

By 9pm, Victoria SES had received 1,400 calls for assistance following the strong winds.

Power has been cut to at least 80,000 homes.

Victoria SES urged road users to drive carefully in the city’s east and Yarra Ranges, with the possible debris including branches, rocks and mud on roads.

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