Tasmania breaking news: Woman in custody after Liverpool St, Hobart crash

A woman is in custody after she allegedly tried to flee the scene of a multi-vehicle crash in Hobart’s CBD while in possession of a knife. LATEST.

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.

Woman in custody after allegedly crashing car into multiple vehicles

November 26, 3.54pm: A woman is in custody after she allegedly tried to flee the scene of a crash while holding a knife.

Tasmania Police were called to Liverpool St, Hobart, just after 2:15pm on Sunday, after reports a vehicle had collided with several other vehicles near Harrington St.

The woman driving the vehicle then reportedly attempted to leave the scene on foot, while in possession of a knife, police say.

She was taken into custody by police a short time later.

No one was injured during the incident, according to police.

Police have put the call out to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has dashcam, mobile phone or other footage.

Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 216-26112023

Three traffic incidents in ten minutes causes bridge chaos

Updated, 2.44pm: A tow truck has been called to retrieve the abandoned car that is holding up traffic, and the horse float has now been cleared.

Speed has been reduced to 40km/h.

November 26, 2.30pm: Sunday afternoon traffic over the Tasman Bridge has been

disrupted after three unrelated traffic incidents, all of which happened within 10 minutes.

Tasmania Police at 2pm advised that there had been “multiple incidents” on the bridge, which had slowed traffic considerably.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area if possible.

The first incident happened after a car broke down in the Hobart-bound traffic lane, which has since been cleared.

The second involved a horse float which became stuck on one of the approaches from

the Eastern shore to the Tasman Bridge.

Police are attending the scene.

A car has also been found abandoned at the Lindisfarne turn-off.

Police are working to remove the vehicle.

Woman’s body believed to be missing swimmer

November 26, 12am:

Police have recovered the body of a woman believed to be a young swimmer who went missing in Tasmania’s northwest earlier this month.

In a statement, police said the woman’s body was found at MacKenzies Beach near Doctors Rocks at Wynyard on Saturday night.

An extensive search for the 22-year-old had failed to find the swimmer after she was last seen in the water off Somerset Beach on 11 November.

She had been swimming with her 26-year-old sister and nine-year-old brother when she was caught in strong currents at the beach.

Police said the woman’s name would not be released at the request of her family.

“Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones and formal identification will be completed in due course,” the statement said.

Bass Hwy chaos amid multiple accidents

Updated, 11am: The earlier motor-vehicle accidents on the Bass Hwy at Don have been cleared.

November 25, 10.15am: Police and emergency services are attending multiple motor vehicle crashes on the Bass Highway at Don.

Motorists are advised to take care through this area and drive to the conditions, Tasmania Police said in a statement.

Lanes of the Bass Highway may be closed while the vehicles involved are removed from the area.

No serious injuries have been reported.

Police hunt man after daylight robbery at shopping centre

November 24, 2:30pm: Police are hunting for a man who robbed a store at Eastlands shopping centre on Hobart’s eastern shore this morning.

The name of the shop has not been revealed but police say the man entered a store in the Rosny complex around 11.40am and threatened staff.

He then stole several items before leaving the scene on foot.

“No one was physically injured during the incident,” a police spokesperson said.

The man being sought is described as being in his late 20s, of medium build with brown hair, wearing blue jeans and a black top with a red hood, and carrying a black and blue backpack.

Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Bellerive CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au and quote reference OR728791. Information can be provided anonymously.

Police search for missing swimmer

UPDATED: Police have located the body of a swimmer, who went missing off a beach in Bruny Island’s south.

Search crews set out shortly after 5pm to find the man, aged in his 70s, who had “vanished from sight” while swimming to his dinghy at Kingfisher Beach.

Police say the man’s body was found after 6pm.

“Police would like to thank the members of the public that assisted them at the scene,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones.”

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

November 23, 5:34pm: A search has begun for a swimmer missing off South Bruny Island.

The police rescue helicopter has been dispatched to Kingfisher Beach to join the search for the man.

Police said the man was seen swimming out to a boat just before 5pm.

The alarm was raised when the man did not return to the beach.

No further details about the man have been released but police say further updates will be provided when available.

Significant ice seizure’: Ravenswood man charged

November 23, 4:36pm: A man has been charged after police seized what they described as a “significant” amount of ice and cash from a northern Tasmanian property.

A 31-year-old man from the Launceston suburb of Ravenswood has been charged with several offences including trafficking in controlled substance (major offence), dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime and other minor drug offences.

Police said they recently conducted two searches at a Ravenswood property, where members of the Northern Drugs and Firearms Unit located and seized 78.7 grams of ice, small quantities of cocaine and cannabis, and a significant amount of cash.

The man was due to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court.

P-plater nabbed driving nearly 40kms over speed limit

November 23, 3:20pm: Police say a P-plater, caught speeding nearly 40 kilometres over the limit in Launceston, could lose their licence after they were nabbed during a traffic operation

The driver was travelling on the West Tamar Highway at Riverside when they were pulled up for speeding 39 kilometres over the limit.

He received six demerit points, which means he is at risk of losing his licence, along with an $828.75 fine.

The driver was just one detected by police during a traffic operation, which was held in light of recent crashes in the West Tamar area.

During the 90 minute operation, police detected six speeding drivers, one mobile phone offence, one seatbelt offence and one unlicensed driver.

Tasmania Police Inspector Darren Hopkins said the behaviours could lead to fatal crashes.

“Speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, using a mobile phone, and driving while fatigued put all road users at risk,” he said.

“Tasmania Police will continue to conduct high visibility enforcement activities aimed at improving driver behaviour and to help make our roads safer.”

Margate crash causes traffic chaos

UPDATED: The crash has now been cleared.

November 23, 8:20am: Motorists are urged to avoid the Channel Highway at Margate after a two vehicle crash this morning.

Police say the crash occurred at the Margate Train, leaving traffic backed up in both directions.

No injuries have been reported and the crash is expected to be cleared by 9am.

Man charged over alleged assault

November 22, 6:20am: A man is in hospital with serious internal injuries after he was assaulted in a Launceston suburb on Tuesday night.

Police responded to reports of a disturbance at Hargrave Crescent in Mayfield after 8pm.

The injured man was rushed to the Launceston General Hospital and treated for serious injuries.

Later in the night, a 31 year old Mayfield man was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm, possessing a dangerous article, along with minor drug offences.

Police are seeking witnesses who may have seen an alleged altercation between the two men.

Professional Standards to review pepper spraying of alleged boat thief

November 21, 11.15am: Tasmania Police’s Professional Standards Command will review the use of force in the arrest of an alleged boat thief who led officers on a kanamaluka/Tamar estuary chase on Monday afternoon.

Police first revealed they were responding to an “isolated incident” involving a man in an allegedly stolen boat on the river just after 2pm Monday.

He was taken into custody shortly after 3.45pm and the boat was recovered, police previously said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, police said the incident would be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command.

“A man was taken into custody by police on Monday, following a protracted incident involving a stolen vessel on the Tamar river,” the statement read.

“Due to concerns about the man’s own welfare and potential risk posed to the public, specialist resources and negotiators were engaged throughout the incident.

“Ongoing attempts to negotiate with and apprehend the man, including the use of OC [pepper] spray, were initially unsuccessful.

“The man was then taken into custody by specialist officers.

“He was taken to hospital for medical treatment and assessment, and remains in a stable condition.

“Professional Standards will review the use of force deployed, as is usual process.”

Man dead after mower incident

November 20, 9pm: A man in his thirties has died after an incident involving a mower in the West Coast town of Zeehan, late on Monday afternoon.

Police say the man was found under the mower at a memorial park before 5pm.

They say he died at the scene.

WorkSafe Tasmania has been notified of the death and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Police chase man in stolen boat

Update, 4.11pm: A man has been taken into custody after a boat chase incident involving a stolen vessel on a river in the state’s north this afternoon.

The man was taken into custody shortly after 3.45pm, after police worked to catch him on the Tamar River in Launceston.

The boat has been recovered.

There was no threat to the wider community, police say.

“Boat users are now able to return to the river, and police would like to thank the public for their patience while the incident was managed,” a Tasmania police spokesperson said.

November 20, 2.07pm: Police are currently responding to an isolated incident on the Tamar River in Launceston.

A man is currently on the river in a stolen vessel.

Police are working to safely take the man into custody.

There is no threat to the community, but boat users are asked to avoid going on the water until the matter is resolved.

One seriously injured in crash, road closed

November 20, 2.07pm: Tasmania Police remain at the scene of a crash involving a truck near 4286 Tasman Highway, Runnymede, with one person taken to hospital.

Tasmania Police say one person has been transported to hospital with what are reported to be serious injuries.

The highway remains closed to traffic while the road is being cleared.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area until further notice.

Originally published as Tasmania breaking news: Woman in custody after Liverpool St, Hobart crash