‘Incomprehensible’: Disbelief after three young lives lost on South Arm Highway

Three friends from the Eastern shore have died in a “horrendous” two-vehicle crash in Sandford. THE SCENE >

UPDATE: Sunday 12.30pm

A 27-year-old driver crossed into the path of an oncoming Volkswagen leading to a fatal crash which killed him and his two passengers, Tasmania Police have revealed.

Police say the 27-year-old Rokeby man, a 19-year-old Howrah woman, and a 28-year-old Howrah man were the three killed in Saturday’s South Arm Highway crash.

According to police the driver lost control of their blue Toyota Corolla, crossing to the wrong side of the road and into the path of a southbound black Volkswagen.

The Volkswagen crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle, killing the driver of the Corolla and the two young Howrah passengers.

Fatal crash Sandford, scene shots

Police say the Volkswagen driver was a 20-year-old man from Rokeby who was accompanied by a 20-year-old woman passenger from South Arm.

The driver and passenger were rushed to Royal Hobart Hospital in a “serious but stable” condition, where they currently remain.

Fatal crash Sandford, scene shots

Crash investigators will look into why the driver crossed onto the wrong side of the road, and whether there were any contributing factors such as alcohol or speeding.

Southern Police District commander Tim Dooley said investigations were likely to continue for the next week or more while a report is prepared for a coroner.

“We’re thinking about the families that are involved, the friends of these young adults who have tragically lost their lives and the impact that will have … in the broader community,” Commander Dooley said.

“[These] people were essentially just starting out their lives and tragically three of them have lost their lives, and we’re hopeful that the other two will pull through.”

Saturday’s crash brings Tasmania’s road toll to 39 fatalities, making 2022 the worst year in over a decade with three months still left to go.

Road Safety Advisory Council’s Scott Tilyard said at this time last year there had been 25 fatalities, which was already unacceptably high.

Given this year’s exceptionally high fatality rate, Mr Tilyard said it was more important than ever to hammer home the road safety message.

“It’s easy to be complacent, particularly if you’ve been driving a long time, but the reality is driving is the most high-risk behaviour most of us will do on a daily basis,” Mr Tilyard said.

“It needs to be treated with respect and people need to pay attention when they’re behind the wheel of a car.”

Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson said this was a tragic loss of life and a dark day for the Tasmanian community.

“These young people were the same age as my children; it really brings it home and I think it gives all of us perspective about the importance of being safe,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We grieve with you, we’re very sorry for your loss, we’re praying for you, we’re thinking of you, and as the Tasmanian community we need to support each other on terrible days like this.”

Saturday 10.00pm

THREE people have been killed in a “horrendous” two-vehicle crash in Sandford, southeast of Hobart, Tasmania Police has confirmed.

Police and emergency services attended the grim scene about 5.15pm on Saturday after reports a Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf had collided on South Arm Rd, near Clifton Beach.

Inspector Luke Manhood said Tasmania Police believe one of the vehicles, which was travelling towards Hobart, veered on to the wrong side of the road after the driver lost control.

Three people travelling in that vehicle were killed in what Inspector Manhood said was an “absolutely tragic loss of life”.

Scene near triple fatality South Arm Road Sandford. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Two people, in the other vehicle, were seriously injured and rushed to hospital.

All five people are understood to be in their early 20s, but have yet to be formally identified.

“All we know is that the vehicle travelling towards Hobart has, for some reason, gone on to the incorrect side of the road and has been struck on the side,” Insp Manhood said.

He said both cars were “extensively damaged”, with crash investigators beginning their inspection of the scene on Saturday night.

While it was too early to know whether the victims live in Sandford, Insp Manhood said the crash would still be “traumatic” for the close-knit community.

“It’s a devastating incident, to lose three lives in one crash is horrendous,” he said.

“Every crash is avoidable.

“We just need people to take more responsibility and more care with their driving.

“They might not intend it, it might be a moment of inattention or distraction but driving is a really dangerous thing, people need to take it very, very seriously.”

Insp Manhood said the Tasmanian 2022 road toll was the “worst it has been for a number of years”, with more than 36 people already having died on state roads this year.

Cars travelling along South Arm Rd on Saturday night at times approached the roadblock at speed, before noticing the flashing lights of a police vehicle and diverting.

South Arm Rd is expected to be closed into Sunday morning with traffic being diverted down Rifle Range Rd and Gellibrand Drive.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information relating to the crash to contact 131444.

Originally published as ‘Incomprehensible’: Disbelief after three young lives lost on South Arm Highway