Two fatal crashes in Tasmania on a tragic New Year’s Eve on the roads
Two deaths on New Year’s Eve finishes a deadly 12-months on Tasmania’s roads — with the highest road toll since 2022. Police reveal more information on both fatal crashes.
For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest traffic, police, fire and ambulance news across the state.
Two fatal crashes in Tasmania
Thursday, January 1, UPDATE 12.45pm: Police believe the tragic death of a 15-year-old e-bike rider at Devonport on Wednesday evening was the first recorded in Tasmania.
The death of the boy and a 72-year-old motorcyclist took Tasmania’s road toll to 44 for 2025-the highest since 2022 when there were 50 deaths.
Inspector Nick Clark said a concerning factor about the 2025 road toll was that there were 12 motorcycle deaths.
Both of Wednesday’s deaths were tragic for family and friends.
He said the motorcycle rider was alone on Macquarie Rd when he came upon some bends near Campbell Town.
“On a left hand bend he crossed to the wrong side of the road and collided with a culvert and came off his motor bike and suffered injuries which unfortunately led to him passing away at the scene,” he said.
He said speed, alcohol and drugs were not factors in the crash.
Inspector Clark said that the e-bike rider was riding on the Don Heads Rd when he lost control and collided with a pole on the side of the road.
“A nearby resident heard the crash and went outside to try and render assistance but unfortunately the young man died at the scene,” he said.
He said that an accident investigation would look at the rider, the environment and also whether there was a mechanical malfunction.
He had no information on whether speed was a factor in the crash.
Lagislation in Tasmania requires an e-bike rider to be sixteen-years-old, wear a helmet and abide by the road rules, he said.
Inspector Clark said initial indications were that a helmet was located at the scene but it was yet to be confirmed whether he was actually wearing it at the time of the crash.
Investigations remain ongoing and a report will be prepared for the Coroner, police say.
— Nick Clark
Burnie man charged with serious firearms offence
2.45pm: A 35-year-old Burnie man is in hot water after police allege finding a gel blaster during a search of a house on Wednesday.
Tasmania Police said charges had been laid following detectives from Operation Scelus conducting a search of a Burnie home.
The charges are one count of possessing a firearm to which a firearms licence may not be issued and other minor charges.
The man is set to appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court on May 12, 2026.
Also in the North-West, a Somerset man faces a range of charges after police allegedly seized firearms and drugs — including a swan-off rifle, a taser and zip-lock bags containing meth — during a search of a Somerset property on Tuesday.
Police allege finding firearms, ammunition, drugs and cash, and also some power tools believed to be stolen property during the search.
Among the list of charges the 37-year-old faces is allegedly possessing firearms which were unregistered, had been shortened, were not kept securely and that he was not licenced to possess.
Tasmania has a permanent firearms amnesty in place where people can surrender illegal or unwanted firearms, firearm parts, ammunition or gel blasters that appear as a firearm at any time without fear of being prosecuted for the possession.
Five people injured after serious three-vehicle crash
Wednesday, December 31 11.30am: Five people were injured from a serious three-vehicle crash on the Lyell Hwy at Granton on Tuesday, police confirmed.
Emergency services were called to the scene after a head-on collision involving a silver Ford Falcon ute and blue Honda Jazz at about 4.12pm.
Police said early investigations suggested one of the vehicles veered out of its lane, resulting in the Honda becoming overturned in the middle of the highway and the Ford ute off the road.
A third vehicle travelling on the highway, a white Nissan Leaf, was involved in a secondary impact at the scene.
The driver of the Honda, a 30-year-old woman, was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital with serious injuries.
Two passengers in the Honda plus the driver and passenger of the Ford were taken to hospital but with non life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Nissan was not injured.
The incident closed the Lyell Highway for six hours while crash investigators examined the scene.
Police have urged anyone with information on the crash to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
Teen charged with child exploitation material
December 30, 4.20pm: A joint police investigation has allegedly uncovered numerous digital devices containing a large amount of serious child exploitation material on a teenager’s mobile phone, resulting in a male youth being charged.
An investigation was launched following the alleged detection of the sharing of CEM on the social media platform — Kik — police said.
The Tasmanian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), comprised of the High-Risk Child Exploitation Unit and the Australian Federal Police, executed a search warrant with the assistance of the Community Protection and Offender Reporting (CPOR) team in Southern Tasmania on Tuesday.
Detectives said the youth was arrested and charged. He has been bailed to appear before the court at a later date subject to strict conditions.
Kik is a platform that falls under the social media ban for children under the age of 16.
Tasmania Police urged parents and carers not to rely solely on those restrictions to keep young people safe.
They recommend the five top tips: Have open conversations often, supervision is essential, be approachable if your child needs help, check privacy settings and know how to report.
Visit ThinkUKnow for more information.
Tasmania Police said If you have seen inappropriate behaviour online that you suspect is child abuse, report it:
•If the child is in immediate danger, call 000.
•Call 131 444
•Report online to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) https://www.accce.gov.au/report
20yo shot in foot after altercation in Bridgewater: Police
1.50pm: Tasmania Police are investigating an alleged altercation leaving a young man with a gunshot wound to his foot at a Bridgewater House.
The injured 20-year-old is receiving treatment at the Royal Hobart Hospital and is in a serious, but non life-threatening condition.
Police report the incident happened at a property in Taylor Crescent in Bridgewater on Sunday about 3.30pm.
It’s alleged four people arrived at the house in two separate vehicles — a white Ford Ranger and a white Ford Focus XR5 — leading to an altercation taking place inside the home.
Police say the injury was caused by a single shotgun blast to the foot.
Officers believe the incident is isolated involving parties known to one another.
Anyone with information, including dashcam or CCTV footage, or noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the area on Sunday is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
Two speedsters clocked double speed limit
Monday, December 29: Two Boxing Day speedsters were reportedly caught excessively speeding in the state’s North-West.
Police said a 35-year-old was detected travelling at 109km/h on Peters St at Tullah, exceeding the limit by 59km/h.
He was served a $1178.75 fine, six demerit points and a four month licence disqualification.
While a 19-year-old P-plater was pinged travelling at 150km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Ridgley Hwy at Ridgley. He also was reportedly not displaying his P-plates. The driver copped a $1281 fine, eight demerit points and a four month disqualification.
Police have renewed calls for road safety after the “disappointing” number of motorists caught breaking the rules.
Acting Inspector Luke Negri said 51 drivers were speeding on Boxing Day and a further 96 drivers caught over the weekend in the state’s North-West.
“We have seen a devastating number of deaths on our roads this year, and it’s confronting but we need to be clear to any motorist considering speeding – a fast drive may be your last drive,” said Acting Inspector Negri.
“As Operation Safe Arrival continues, we need motorists to remember that driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs puts you at risk of crashing and killing or injuring yourself or someone else.”
Five motorists were also detected driving with illicit drugs in their system while several were caught drink driving, including two high range detections.
Those were a 37-year-old Latrobe man returning a reading of .207 and a 51-year-old Ridgley woman caught at .245. Both were issued 12-month disqualification.
Acting Inspector Negri said police would continue to target dangerous driving behaviours.
“We need motorists to help us by being safe on the roads,” he said.
“Drink and drug driving, and speeding is a conscious choice and one that significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death.
“Drivers are urged to slow down, obey speed limits, and help keep Tasmanian roads safe for everyone.”
Originally published as Two fatal crashes in Tasmania on a tragic New Year’s Eve on the roads
