The victims of a freak accident in which a tree fell on their moving vehicle have been identified as a much-loved couple who were known for their care and charity work.
Friends of Brian and Lynne Warren were left in shock when news broke that the couple had been killed when a large tree fell and hit their grey Isuzu pickup truck.
The tragedy occurred on Graphite Road near Burnside Road in Deanmill, near Manjimup, in the south of Western Australia, on Wednesday.
Mrs Warren, 78, was driving at the time while her husband, 75, was in the passenger seat. Both died at the scene of the accident.
Locals say the trees on the side of the road were out of control and had become a hazard in adverse weather conditions.
The couple were enthusiastic Rotarians and well known in the Margaret River community.
‘Some sad news from a wonderful couple,’ the Rotary Club of Mandurah Districts posted on Facebook.
‘Rotary volunteers. Rest in peace.’
WA couple Brian and Lynne Warren were killed when a large tree fell and hit their grey Isuzu pickup truck.
The tragedy sparked an outpouring of tributes to the Warrens.
“OMG I’m devastated. I served these for years at Urban Bean and kept seeing them around town and they were so delicious,” one person wrote.
Another wrote: “It’s devastating, they were such beautiful people. It’s so sad to hear that,” said another.
Mrs Warren enjoyed a decorated career in nursing, which led to her being awarded for excellence in the State Residential Aged Care Awards whilst working in Carnarvon.
“I had the pleasure of working with Lynne years ago and she was a brilliant nurse,” wrote a former nursing colleague.
“Very sad, may they both rest in peace.”
Mr Warren was involved in a number of programs in the Margaret River community, including volunteering for Rotary’s Alternative Leavers program.
This project brought high school graduates to Timor Leste to assist with community development projects.
Brian and Lynne Warren were remembered as a “lovely couple” who did a lot of charitable work through Rotary.
Police are investigating the scene of the accident on Graphite Road and a local resident says the trees have not been kept under control and have become a hazard in extreme weather conditions.
Mr. Warren told the Augusta-Margaret River Times in 2019 that generous community support enabled the young people to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate communities abroad.
The couple had also raised money to provide Timorese firefighters with protective equipment.
Major accident detectives will examine the accident scene.
Police are asking for help from anyone with information or dashcam footage.