Great Southern farmer Jaxon Peakall was tragically killed during a bushfire.
URGENT UPDATE: A devastating incident has claimed the life of 34-year-old farmer Jaxon Peakall while he was bravely fighting a bushfire in Mindarabin on Tuesday evening. Peakall was patrolling the fire’s boundary along Old Ongerup Road at approximately 8 PM when a burnt tree collapsed onto his vehicle, inflicting critical injuries that led to his untimely death at the scene.
Known as a “beautiful” person by his peers, Peakall had recently taken over the family farm in Amelup and selflessly volunteered to assist firefighting efforts, despite his property being safe from the flames. His commitment to protecting the farms of friends and neighbors highlights the strong community spirit in this tight-knit region.
The inferno began on Tuesday at 12:18 PM and escalated to trigger three emergency-level warnings throughout the day. Thanks to the relentless efforts of more than 100 firefighters, the blaze was brought under control by 3:21 PM on Wednesday. The fire has scorched an alarming 5,542 hectares of land, causing significant damage to local agriculture.
A bushfire advice alert remains active for residents in the areas surrounding Tie Line Road, Chester Pass Road, O’Neill Road, Ongerup Creek, Hart Road, Gnowangerup-Jerramungup Road, Coromup Road, and Hinkley Road in Jackitup, Mindarabin, and Toompup in the Shire of Gnowangerup as of Thursday.
In response to the tragedy, Kate O’Keeffe, president of the Shire of Gnowangerup, announced that a counselling service has been engaged to support those affected by the bushfire, particularly for the volunteers and emergency personnel who responded to the scene. “We want to take care of the family of the victim, the volunteers, and the first responders,” O’Keeffe stated, underscoring the emotional toll this incident has taken.
Though no homes were lost in the fire, significant devastation has occurred to farmland, raising concerns for local farmers facing extensive damage to their crops and soil. O’Keeffe emphasized the hardships these farmers endure, stating, “The destruction and degradation to the soil has been so horrendous.”
As cleanup and recovery efforts continue at the fire scene, the community rallies together to support one another in these challenging times. The legacy of Jaxon Peakall will live on as a testament to the spirit of solidarity and dedication among those who call this region home.
Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide necessary support for the community affected by this tragic event.
