Freak crash: Man hit and killed just minutes after surviving his own crash
First pictures: A man has been hit and killed in a “tragic, freak accident” just minutes after surviving his own crash.
UPDATED: THE death of a man who walked away after rolling his van in icy conditions in northern Tasmania on Tuesday before being hit by another out-of-control vehicle has been labelled a “tragic, freak accident” by police.
Inspector Steven Jones said the 56-year-old man, from Legana, lost control of his van on a corner at Harford at 7am.
The van rolled several times before coming to a rest on the side of Frankford Rd.
The man, who was the only occupant of the van, got out of the vehicle and was standing next to his upturned car.
A silver Mazda utility, being driven by a 19-year-old man from Youngtown, then lost control on the same corner and rolled several times before crashing into the van.
“Police believe the driver of the van was impacted by the second crash and he died at the scene shortly after,” Insp Jones said.
“It was a tragic, freak accident and very unfortunate indeed. I have not seen an accident like this before.”
The deceased man was driving a work vehicle and on his way to his job at Devonport firm Shane Smith Electrical when he lost control in what Insp Jones said were dangerous conditions.
“It was still dark and there was a lot of black ice on the road. It is an outlying road without much traffic at the time of the morning and conditions can be very challenging,” Insp Jones said.
A company spokeswoman said everyone at his workplace was in shock at the news of the tragedy.
He recommended drivers caught in similar conditions reduce their speed considerably.
“And do not brake hard if the car starts to slide or you will skid out of control,” he said.
The younger driver was not physically injured but has been taken to hospital as a precaution.
Police said black ice was the most likely contributing factor in both crashes although investigations at the scene continue.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
EARLIER: A MAN who walked away after rolling his van in icy conditions in northern Tasmania’s this morning has died after being hit by another out-of-control vehicle.
Tasmania Police said the 56-year-old man, from Legana, lost control of his van on a corner at Harford at 7am.
The van rolled several times before coming to a rest on the side of Frankford Rd.
The man, who was the only occupant of the van, got out of the vehicle.
“A short time later, a silver Mazda utility being driven by a 19-year-old man from Youngtown lost control on the same corner and rolled several times before crashing into the van,” police said.
“Police believe the driver of the van was impacted by the second crash and he died at the scene shortly after.”
The younger driver was not physically injured but has been taken to hospital as a precaution.
A spokeswoman from Shane Hill Electrical confirmed the man who died worked for the Devonport company.
She said company owner, Shane Hill, was with the man’s family and the workplace had been deeply shocked by the freak accident.
Police said black ice was the most likely contributing factor in both crashes, although investigations at the scene are continuing.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Frankford Rd between Howell Rd and 5km east of Baker’s Beach turn-off remains closed.
The scene was expected to be cleared by about 12.30pm.
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Police said the road was closed in both directions and traffic was being diverted from the area.
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Originally published as Freak crash: Man hit and killed just minutes after surviving his own crash
