In what police are calling a freak act of nature, a 68-year-old Clarington man was killed when a tree fell onto his vehicle.

Police say the man was driving his 2012 GMC Sierra at approximately 4:00 p.m. in the White Road and Clarington Concession Road 8 area.

It was at that time that a strong gust of wind caused a large tree to fall onto the vehicle. The tree also took down powerlines as it fell, hitting the roof of the vehicle and causing the passenger compartment of the vehicle to collapse.

William Stapleton, 68, of Clarington Concession Road 8, was the lone occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information on this incident is being asked to contact police.