Fatality at fires

the age website, it was last night, he fell out of a trailer and went under following tanker.

Haven't had the radio on much today.

That's no good at all. Sometimes you hear these things and later on the facts are set straight and it's all viscious rumours.

It's a shame in this case it's true.

Dave

Friend mourns a 'real mate'

Don Dosser

Donald Dosser, the man who was killed fighting fires in Gippsland, has been described as a "real mate who helped anyone who was in trouble".

Best mate Rick Morgan has known Mr Dosser for 30 years after meeting through a mutual love of horses.

Mr Morgan lives three kilometres from Mr Dosser's home and mini-pony stud in Longford and was shocked to hear of his mate's death last night.

Mr Dosser, 48, was standing on a trailer being towed by a ute on a property at Old Joes Road, west of Heyfield, when he fell from the trailer and was run over by it at around 7.30pm last night.

"I couldn't believe it, I still can't believe it, if you knew him you thought he was indispensable that's the type of bloke he was," Mr Morgan told theage.com.au.

"He was one of the friendliest old fellas. He helped anyone who was in trouble it wouldn't matter if it was the end of the bloody world he'd walk over and help them.

"He was a good horseman and had a real top little mini-pony stud here. He was the best in Australia.

He was one of those blokes that could do anything and help everybody.

He used to break in horses ... have pony rides and that sort of thing."

Known as Donnie to his mates, Mr Dosser was helping protect a friend's home from fire in Seaton when he died.

"He went over to a mate having fire trouble - he raced over to give them a hand.

"He was on the back of a trailer and the water tank on the trailer, they went down a bit of a bend, slipped and turned the trailer over on top of him."

Mr Morgan said he had to inform Mr Dosser's ex-wife and step-daughter of his death.

"I've been up with them all morning - it's shocking, real bad. He's been through a divorce and they've been split up for a long while but they've been good mates, he and his stepdaughter and grandkids and his ex-wife.

"They're a complete mess they are and will be for quite a while. I rang them up last night ... she (ex-wife) couldn't believe it, it was a hard thing to do but I just didn't know where they lived to go and tell them"

Mr Morgan said the death of his friend still hadn't fully sunk in.

"I go past his place every day to and from work and always call in and have breakfast with him or tea, have a little joke with him. I see him nearly every day of the week.

"I'm dreading the next few days."

theage.com.au

I just looked out the back, still a lot of smoke & the choppers are still bombing the area. (Cooper's Creek)

Been out there today (Heyfield/Seaton). A few spot fires kept the firies busy but at about 6:30pm the wind died off and they had most of the spot fires out.

I spoke to a few people that have lost feed in padocks and property, along with someone who lost a 'weekender' - great attitude - one I spoke to felt relieved that there was nothing left to burn!

The stories of people new to the area and having no idea how to protect their property - inundated with people helping out - which saved one property at least.