Shock and heartbreak have swept through Mansfield and Mount Buller following the death of young local musician Talae Rodden in a tragic accident on Mount Buller Road last week.

The 26-year-old was travelling down the mountain with his mother, Sally Rodden, in the early hours of Monday 10 August when a tree fell onto their car.

Talae, who was in the passenger seat, could not be revived at the scene.

Sally, who was driving, was taken to Wangaratta Hospital in a serious condition with an upper body injury.

Emergency services remained at the scene for several hours, with traffic disrupted up and down the mountain.

Conditions in the area had been treacherous overnight, with temperatures falling to -2C amid strong winds and heavy rainfall.

News of Talae’s sudden death sent shock through a community where the Rodden family has been part of life on and around Mount Buller for many years.

Parents Sally and Cha, and brother Jared, are mourning the loss of a much-loved son and brother, while friends and members of the wider community have rallied around the family.

Sally and Cha raised their two boys, Jared and Talae, through many winters at Mount Buller, where they managed the University Ski Club lodge and ran Downhill Donuts.

The family lives in Merrijig, while Sally also runs her retail store, Anyroom, in Mansfield.

“We’re so grateful to still have Sal with us,” Jared told the Mansfield Courier.

“Keep sending through the love, we will respond to everyone eventually.”

Pep Effeney, a director from University Ski Club said Sally continues to improve.

“Sally is improving every day and we hope she will be able to come home soon,” she said.

In the days since the tragedy, an extraordinary outpouring of support has surrounded the Rodden family.

University Ski Club established a GoFundMe to help with medical and funeral expenses, with donations quickly surging far beyond its original $40,000 target.

“We are establishing this fundraiser to help ease some of the financial pressure that comes with such an unimaginable tragedy,” Pep said.

“Our hearts are broken for them for the loss of their beautiful son, Talae.”

More than $130,000 was raised in less than 24 hours, and by the time the Courier went to print the total had climbed beyond $190,000.

“We think it is truly inspiring to see so many people come together to support Sally, Cha and Jared as they navigate the very difficult months ahead,” Pep told the Courier.

“100 per cent of the funds donated will be going directly to the Rodden family.”

Beyond Mansfield and Mount Buller, Talae had built a growing following through his life as a musician.

He began releasing music under the artist name Ricewine in 2017 and went on to release numerous songs while performing at shows and festivals.

His music attracted fans well beyond the region, with Talae performing at Sydney’s Fest in the Inner West last year.

In an interview with UK magazine 1883, Talae once joked that he might call his fans “ricers”.

Speaking with global talent discovery platform Ones To Watch, he described a love of music that began when he was young.

“I started playing guitar when I was young, and I started producing my own music at 16,” he said.

“I specifically remember listening to Grace by Jeff Buckley and just being completely in awe.

“I had never felt that way from music before and I wanted to create that feeling for others”.

To support Sally, Cha and Jared after the tragic loss of Talae, you can donate at gofund.me/f68c26513 or search gofund.me for Talae.