West River bushfire: Local farmer dies while fighting bushfire in front-end loader near Ravensthorpe

A farmer in his 60s has died while protecting his property against a fast-moving bushfire in West River. Police said the local farmer was operating a front-end loader in a desperate attempt to establish a firebreak in West River, near Ravensthorpe, when it became engulfed in flames on Monday afternoon. The man could not be saved and died at the scene. “An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death will be conducted by WA Police, who will prepare a report for the coroner,” a police spokesperson said. The fire — which started about 2.20pm — has razed about 300ha of farmland, threatening several homes near West River and Fitzgerald Road. The blaze is moving slowly in a north-easterly direction. It is contained but not controlled. Premier Roger Cook said he understood the man was protecting his own property and described his death as a “desperately sad situation”. “Our hearts go out to that gentleman and his family,” he said. “It’s just another reminder how quickly things can turn and how quickly you can have a loss of life and it’s a very sad day.” Mr Cook acknowledged the tight-knit community would be devastated. The Shire of Ravensthorpe issued a statement saying it was “devastated by the death of a local man at the West River fire yesterday afternoon”. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and also all emergency services still working on the fire,” the statement said. “WA Police are now investigating. “The Shire of Ravensthorpe will not be commenting further at this stage.” Roe MP Peter Rundle expressed his condolences to the farmer’s family and friends, and described the death as “tragic”. “We understand that we’ve lost one of our local farmers in the Shire of Ravensthorpe in the fire that was happening last night, and it’s also continuing on today,” he said on Tuesday. “It’s a very tragic occurrence, and my thoughts and our party’s thoughts go out to those families and friends, and we certainly wish everyone in the community of Ravensthorpe, West River and the like, all the best in containing that fire as well.” He said the death was another hit to the town, referencing the recent closure of two local nickel and lithium mines. “Ravensthorpe has undergone some tough times recently, and with the closure of a couple of the mines as well, and also the store and the community store, which will be reopened in the not too distant future,” he said. “I think this just flows on, and it’s it’s a tough time for that community, as I said, my sympathies go out to that community, but especially to family and friends.” Mr Rundle thanked the volunteer firefighters, and said he hoped the worst of the bushfire had passed. “I also want to thank all of those volunteer bush fire fighters (and) people that are coming in from other areas, Jerramungup and Esperance and the like. “Let’s hope it can be contained . . . I understand there’s about 4000 hectares that have been burnt at this point, so let’s hope it doesn’t go too far beyond that.” A bushfire watch and act is still in place for locals bound by South Coast Highway, Lake Road, Mallee Road and Koornong Road in West River and West Fitzgerald in the Shire of Ravensthorpe and the Shire of Jerramungup. Bushfire service and volunteer fire and emergency service firefighters are still on scene strengthening containment lines. The cause of the fire is under investigation but is not being treated as suspicious.