Police investigate night-time crash that claimed the life of an elderly woman at Lauderdale
It could take weeks for police to determine the cause of a head-on crash that claimed the life of an elderly woman last night. PHOTOS, VIDEO, LATEST >>
Tasmania
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THE cause of a night-time crash that claimed the life of an elderly woman on Hobart’s eastern shore remains under investigation and may not be known for weeks, police say.
The woman, 83, died at the scene of the crash, that occurred on South Arm Rd between Lauderdale and Sandford where the road has water on both sides.
It continues a horror year on Tasmanian roads, with 33 lives lost so far in 2020.
Police said she was driving northbound in a white Mitsubishi SUV when that vehicle collided head-on with a blue Volvo station wagon.
As a result of the impact, the Volvo ended up in shallow water in Ralphs Bay, but the man driving that car, the sole occupant, had little difficulty exiting the vehicle.
Passers-by came to the aid of both drivers to perform first aid and the man, aged in his 40s from the South Arm area, was taken to hospital by ambulance.
His injuries are not believed to be serious.
But despite the efforts of civilians and those of emergency services, the elderly woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police Inspector Brian Edmonds said investigations were ongoing and he would not speculate on a possible cause of the crash.
“The investigation will take its course and depending on the evidence available, it may take some weeks to determine the likely cause,’’ he said.
Inspector Edmonds said the incident was a tragic event.
“Our sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of the lady and other people involved, and including the first responders that have to turn up to these traffic and devastating events as part of their jobs in the community,’’ he said.
“Over the last few years, that section of road has seen a number of accidents and it’s a timely warning to all motorists that you need to drive to the conditions and be very careful on winding or narrow roads.”
Inspector Edmonds said every fatality was one too many.
“These accidents are a real tragedy but we urge the community that everyone has a responsibility to do what they can to drive safely and drive to the conditions,’’ he said.
Due to the seriousness of the crash, the road was closed for about five hours while police attended the scene and the vehicles were removed.
EARLIER, 6AM: AN ELDERLY woman is dead and a man has been hospitalised after a horrific head-on crash last night.
Around 8.30pm last night emergency services attended the scene of a fatal two-vehicle crash.
The road was closed for around five hours last night where one car ended up in the water and another was left badly damaged in the middle of the road.
The head-on collision occurred on the section of South Arm Rd between Lauderdale and the intersection with Forest Hill Rd, Sandford.
The 83-year-old woman driving the northbound 2018 white Mitsubishi ASX SUV died at the scene while the male driver of the involved southbound 2019 blue Volvo U Series station wagon was conveyed from the scene by ambulance in a conscious state.
The road was closed for five hours and the crash is still under investigation.
Police are seeking the assistance from members of the public. Anyone who was in the vicinity of the crash has been urged to contact police on 131 444.
YESTERDAY, 10.45PM: One person has died and another person has been injured in a two-car crash between Lauderdale and Sandford, Tasmania Police have confirmed.
Police remain at the scene on South Arm Rd where a car ended up in the water and another was left badly damaged in the middle of the road.
Multiple emergency service crews rushed to the scene about 8.30pm.
There is debris across the road.
The incident took place between Lauderdale and Sandford where the road is surrounded by water.
Police have said South Arm Rd will be closed for several hours in both directions leaving residents south of the incident cut off.
Traffic is being turned around at Lauderdale and Sandford.
Meanwhile, police were also on the scene of a single vehicle crash on Macquarie Street Hobart near the Duke of Wellington Hotel.
No injuries were reported but traffic was expected to be delayed due to exposed wires from a traffic light that required repair.
More to come …
Originally published as Police investigate night-time crash that claimed the life of an elderly woman at Lauderdale