Two more dead in Targa Tasmania car rally

A day after a 68-year-old man died in a tragic crash, two more are dead in a troubling end to the Targa Tasmania car rally.

The death toll at the Targa Tasmania car rally climbed to three on Saturday after the second fatal crash in as many days.

A driver and co-driver died after crashing on the final day of the event, after 68-year-old Shane Navin passed a day prior.

Police confirmed Leigh Mundy, 68, from Hobart and 59-year-old Dennis Neagle from Queensland had died in Saturday’s crash.

Tasmania Police said on Saturday they were responding to a serious single vehicle crash on Wattle Grove Road at Cygnet, around 200m from the Cygnet Coast Road intersection.

Motorists were asked to avoid the area until the scene was cleared.

Acting Inspector Sally Cottrell told reporters: “A Porsche was taking part in the Cygnet stage of the Targa road race. It’s come over the crest of the hill on Wattle Grove Rd. The vehicle has lost control on the gravel and then the passenger’s side of the vehicle has collided into a tree.”

Acting Inspector Cottrell could not speculate how fast the car was travelling at the time of the crash, but confirmed conditions on the straight stretch of road were dry.

“It’s a normal stretch of road, it’s a straight stretch of road and in good condition,” she said.

“It’s a very tragic set of circumstances that has occurred and our thoughts do go out to the relatives of the deceased.”

An eyewitness told the The Mercury : “He got airborne here and then I heard him land, and when he landed, he bellied out and just lost control.

“The next minute it was like an explosion, and it echoed everywhere.”

The crash is being investigated by police.

TARGA volunteers gather as another fatal crash rocked the race event. Picture: Zak Simmonds.

Navin died on Friday morning after his 1979 Mazda RX-7 rolled 35.4km into the penultimate stage at about 10am.

Co-driver Glenn Evans was assessed by medical crews but miraculously had no injuries.

“This is a very sad time for the Targa community,” Targa Australia chief executive Mark Perry said on Friday.

“Shane was a much loved and admired member of our Targa family. We send our heartfelt condolences to Shane’s family and friends on their loss.”

Navin’s crash is being investigated by police.

It unfolded on the second half of Mount Arrowsmith, which was plagued by wet weather at the time of the incident.

Earlier, Tasmania Police confirmed a crash had taken place on social media.

“Police and emergency services remain on the scene of a serious single vehicle crash on the Lyell Highway near Double Barrel Creek,” the Facebook post read.

People who know Navin are sharing their condolences on Facebook.

“Ashley Navin has asked that I post on behalf of his family the sad news that this afternoon Shane Navin tragically passed away in a freak accident while competing in Targa Tasmania. He was a great father, husband & mate & will be missed by many. Condolences to Shane’s family,” Bo Williams wrote.

Kelly Hooch Hunt said Mr Navin was a “quintessential gentleman”.

“Shane Navin has always been an absolute pleasure to deal with and his passing today has really rocked me badly. His navigator Glenn Evans is OK but of course badly shaken and upset at losing a great mate,” she wrote.

“R.I.P. Shane and my heartfelt condolences to his wife Jennifer, son Ashley and daughter Kelsie.”

The 1979 Mazda RX-7 of Shane Navin and co-driver Glenn Evans is retrieved. Picture: Supplied

There have now been five fatalities in the event’s history. The most recent before this year’s event occurred in 2013.

Targa Tasmania is a tarmac-based rally event which has been held in Tasmania every year since 1992.

It is named after the Targa Florio, a motoring event previously held in Sicily.