Tasmania breaking news: Police pleased with Party in the Paddock attendees, despite seven being charged
Police were out in force for the Party in the Paddock festival, putting in a finale effort through a road safety operation. The results.
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Police patrols wrap up Party in the Paddock festivities
3.41pm: Seven people have been charged by police at the Party in the Paddock (PITP) music festival, including one man who drove drunk through a boundary fence to leave the festival.
Tasmania Police were largely pleased with the majority of attendees at this year’s Quercus Park event, conducting a large-scale road safety operation on departing PITP motorists.
Tasmania Police Inspector Grant Twining said police drone operators were on site over the weekend as well as members from the Launceston and Central North Uniform, and Taskforces Raven and Scelus units to patrol the event.
“Pleasingly, police would like to thank the large majority of attendees who were well-behaved and safe during the event,” he said.
“Disappointingly, a number of people were detected for drug related matters and will be dealt with by the courts.”
These offences include a 25-year-old man from New Norfolk who was arrested and charged with possessing a controlled drug, selling a controlled drug and wilfully obstruct police.
He will appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.
A 24-year-old South Launceston man was charged with drink driving after he drove through the boundary fence to exit the festival on Saturday night.
He will appear before the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.
Five other people will also be proceeded against for minor drug matters.
During the eight-hour road safety operation on Monday, 3087 random breath tests were conducted.
Between 5am and 1pm, police at multiple locations detected four drink drivers detected ranging from 0.06 to 0.08, including a P-plater who is required to have a zero alcohol reading, 15 positive results on random drug tests, three passengers not wearing seat belts and five defect notices issued.
One person flown to hospital after Beaconsfield crash
UPDATE 1.18pm: Police said the person transported to hospital is believed to have “serious” injuries.
Auburn Rd is now clear from the crash.
February 10, 1.05pm: One person has been taken to hospital via air ambulance after a single-vehicle crash at around 12pm on Monday.
Tasmania Police said they remain at the scene of a “serious” single-vehicle crash on Auburn Road in Beaconsfield, 40km north of Launceston.
The road is currently closed to through traffic, with one person believed to be the occupant of the crashed vehicle being transported to hospital via road and air ambulance.
Police ask that motorists avoid the area until the scene is cleared.
The extent of the person’s injuries are not yet known.
Four bushfires now “key focus” of firefighters
4.18pm: Firefighters on the ground and in the air on the state’s west coast have been able to extinguish some of the 20 bushfires from last week, with only four fires now the “key focus” of emergency services.
Speaking at a community meeting in Arthur River, an hours’ drive from Stanley, the Tasmanian Fire Service said firefighters “were having success with suppression”, but urged caution from nearby communities.
“Due to our coordinated response using both aerial and ground assets, we have been able to close four fires at Queens Head, Mount Black, Parsons Hood and Trial Harbour Road,” he said.
“We have also contained a further six fires, which are now being patrolled at Huskisson Drive, Lake Pieman, Exe Creek, Main Rivulet in Savage River, Corrina Road in Savage River and Robinson Street, Zeehan.
“Of the remaining fires, our key focus is on Mount Donaldson, Canning Peak, Yellowband Plain and Mount Meredith.
“While we are currently seeing promising results from our firefighting efforts, we are expecting high fire dangers to return across the state next week and we need people to remain alert and prepared.
“Your home is more likely to survive a bushfire if you have prepared it properly – don’t wait until it’s too late, prepare now and make sure you have a bushfire plan in place.”
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) Deputy Incident Controller Richard Dakin said the Overland Track, Sandy Cape 4WD track and Mount Donaldson tracks were currently closed due to nearby bushfires.
“We urge visitors to check the PWS website for any track closure updates,” he said.
“We are also aware of the cultural significance of some areas affected by these fires, and we have an Aboriginal Liaison Officer embedded in our Incident Management Team whose guidance is helping to inform our operational planning.
“Thankfully the fire is currently well away from significant coastal sites, and we have plans in place to assist in protecting them if needed.”
Residents in bushfire-impacted communities such as Sandy Cape, Temma, Couta Rock, Nelson Bay, Arthur River and Balfour can keep up to date with bushfire warnings at www.tasalert.com.au
Police investigating child running onto roadway
1.52pm: A child remains in hospital in a stable condition after running into a roadway on Saturday, with police announcing an investigation into the incident.
Police said a four-year-old boy ran onto Franmaree Road in Newnham, a suburb near Launceston, at 6.40pm on Saturday where he was hit by a grey Suzuki car.
Emergency services were called to the area, where they were able to stabilise the child and take him to the Launceston General Hospital.
The child was then airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital where police say he remains critically injured but in a stable condition.
Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Youths in custody over three-car crash
11.45am: Police have taken two youths into custody following an evade incident on the Bridgewater Bridge on Sunday morning.
The two 15-year-olds were observed driving a stolen vehicle south on the Midland Highway around 8:30am, when they failed to stop for police.
Police said that officers at the scene deployed road spikes on the Midland Highway near the Bridgewater causeway.
The driver continued to drive the vehicle when police said it crashed into two other vehicles, causing minor damage.
The youths ran from the vehicle and were apprehended by police nearby.
Police stated one of the youths has been taken to hospital as a precaution.
No other injuries were reported.
Traffic was diverted via New Norfolk and the Bowen Bridge.
The Bridgewater causeway will remain closed until around midday for an investigation to continue.
Police are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage of the incident to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Woman nabbed twice in 24 hours for drink driving, evade police
February 9, 8.17am: A Nubeena woman has been nabbed twice in 24 hours by Tasmania Police for evading police and high-range drink driving – her level almost six times the legal limit.
The 50-year-old was first charged with high-range drink driving on Friday night when Tasmania Police intercepted her.
The woman returned a breath alcohol reading of 0.228, almost six times the legal limit and was immediately disqualified for 24 months on the spot.
She was charged with drink driving along with other charges relating to an outstanding matter and was bailed on Friday evening.
At around 11.40am on Saturday, police intercepted the woman again who attempted to evade police before coming to a stop.
This was less than 24 hours after being charged and released.
The woman was arrested at the scene has been charged in relation to disqualified driving, evading police and bail offences.
She has been remanded to appear in court at a later date.
Constable James Blay of Nubeena Police Station said drink driving offences present “serious and unacceptable risk” for drivers on the road.
“Being almost six times the legal limit is both highly dangerous and reckless,” he said.
“Those who continue to drive after being disqualified face serious consequences and it isn’t worth taking the risk to getting back behind the wheel.”
Police said officers in the Tasman Peninsula area will continue to target those that place themselves and other at risk on our roads.
Anyone who sees dangerous driving is encouraged to report it to police immediately on 131 444.
If you can’t report it at the time but you have footage, you can upload it to police.tas.gov.au/report/
60-year-old man dies while competing in triathlon
3.40pm: A man competing in the swim leg of the Coles Bay Triathlon has sadly died on Saturday morning, police confirm.
Tasmania Police said the man was in his 60s from Launceston, and the incident at Muirs Beach, Coles Bay was reported to police just after 10am.
It’s believed the man was a strong swimmer.
Police said investigations were continuing into the cause of death.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Rescue of 42-foot yacht second vessel in distress last night
9.30am: In a busy night for police in the North-West, a second vessel struck danger just off the coast north-west of Wynyard.
Triple-zero calls alerted officers to the 40-foot yacht that had run aground just after midnight.
Police said two people on board reported they had run aground on rocks in the area near Fossil Bluff/Table Cape.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter and land and water police were dispatched.
Police said the vessel began taking on water about 5.45am.
Due to the conditions, officers say the police vessel was unable to access the stricken yacht safely and a police rescue swimmer was winched into the water from the helicopter.
Police said officers swam to the yacht and assisted one of the crew to the shore before returning to rescuing the second person.
All three were then winched to safety, and the crew members didn’t require medical assistance, police confirmed.
Officers said the two people on board the yacht were prepared for time at sea.
“Even well prepared and experienced people can run into difficulties at sea,” said Inspector Adam Spencer.
“Tasmania Police urges everyone to ensure they are well prepared before heading to sea, and to ensure their vessel is equipped with the required safety gear and is capable of the journey.”
Men rescued in dinghy danger in North-West
February 8, 8am: Two men in a small dinghy have been rescued in the North-West after they got into difficulty in strong winds on Friday night.
Police say the pair were in a 10 foot aluminium dinghy two to three kilometres North of the Western Inlet near Stanley after leaving Anthony Beach in the Circular Head area.
The two men found themselves in trouble in escalating winds and were unable to power their way back to shore.
Police said a local fishing vessel deployed from Stanley and went to the aid of the vessel and its two occupants.
A spokesperson said a swift recovery and rescue of the vessel was undertaken with both males returned safely to the Stanley Wharf.
Neither of the men were hurt.
Police said the rescue was a timely reminder for any members of the public who undertake boating activities to check that the vessel and occupants have all the required safety equipment for safe boating.
— Sue Bailey
Charges laid over homemade firearms, drugs, stolen goods
February 7, 1.30pm: A man and a woman face multiple charges after reports of an alleged aggravated assault triggers a police raid at a Kings Meadows home, officers say.
Police report allegedly seizing two homemade firearms, drugs and stolen property during the targeted search on Thursday following an incident the day prior.
Officers said a man was allegedly inside a vehicle when a person approached the vehicle while in possession of a firearm.
Police believe the pair knew each other and say nobody was physically injured and firearm wasn’t discharged.
The investigation resulted in a raid of a home and police allege finding a number of illegal items. Those include: a loaded homemade .22 pistol fitted with a silencer, a loaded homemade .22 pen gun, ammunition, quantities of methylamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine and prescription medication as well as a motorcycle and box trailer believed to have been stolen.
A 39-year-old Youngtown man was arrested and charged with multiple firearms offences, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of property, motor vehicle stealing and minor drug offences.
He is set to appear in court today.
A 25-year-old Ravenswood woman was also arrested and charged with firearms offences, aggravated assault and minor drug offences.
She is set to appear in court in April.
Detective Acting Inspector Jason Jones said homemade firearms were not only illegal but dangerous to the community.
“We encourage anyone in possession of illegal or homemade firearms to hand them over to police,” he said.
There are no penalties associated with surrendering firearms during an amnesty, regardless of how they may have come into people’s possession, he said.
Swift rescue after historic ship sinks in channel
February 6, 7.45am: A Hobart couple sailing their 20 metre 1958 Pilot Cutter on Wednesday afternoon struck danger when their vessel suffered mechanical failure, police say.
The historic ship reportedly began to take on water in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel near Whale Boat Rock, south of Woodbridge, in Tasmania’s south.
It’s understood the two person crew, a 50-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man, both from Hobart, were intending to participate in the Wooden Boat Festival and were sailing from Port Huon to Hobart.
The rare vessel had previously served as a pilot vessel in Sydney Harbour and was only one of three of its type.
Police said the boat started to sink rapidly following the mechanical failure.
Officers say the crew members were fast to communicate their distress, using marine radio an EPIRB and mobile phone to raise alarm.
Police said they used two vessels to attend the scene and quickly rescued the crew members, who were both wearing life jackets and had appropriate safety equipment. They reported no one was physically injured in the incident.
Unfortunately, the vessel couldn’t be saved and sunk soon after.
Acting Inspector Danny Jackson said the regular communication with police enabled a swift and effective rescue operation.
“This is a timely reminder for those boating to ensure they are wearing their life jacket, take the proper safety precautions, and remember to let someone know where you are going and what time you can be expected back,” he said.
Police raid at Perth allegedly uncovers meth, illegal firearms
2pm: Two people have been charged after a police raid allegedly uncovered three illegal firearms, 30 grams of methylamphetamine and stolen property worth about $10k, officers say.
Officers executed the search warrant at the Perth home on Tuesday, February 4, police confirmed.
Police said they seized a .22 firearm, which had been concealed, along with an Adler Turkey 12-gauge lever action shotgun and a Winchester .22 rifle.
Also seized was 30 grams of meth, a large quantity of ammunition and stolen property, officers say.
A 34-year-old Perth man was arrested and charged with multiple firearms offences, minor drug offences and unlawful possession of property.
A 31-year-old Perth man was also charged with multiple firearms offences.
Both are set to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court in April.
Detective Acting Inspector Jason Jones said any illicit firearm was a concern to Tasmania Police.
“Firearms in the wrong hands are dangerous,” he said.
He urged anyone who knew of people in possession of an illegal firearm to come forward and contact police on 131 444.
Charges laid after loaded firearm and ice allegedly found in car
February 5, 10.30am: A 29-year-old man has been accused of trafficking methylamphetamine (ice) and gun-related offences following a police search of his car at Claremont on Tuesday, police say.
The Claremont man was the driver of the searched vehicle and was arrested and charged with driving while disqualified, trafficking in a controlled substance and multiple firearm offences, police said.
Officers allege he had a loaded firearm and trafficable quantity of ice in his vehicle.
Police, including the dog handler unit, searched the man’s Claremont home and alleged finding more ammunition and large amount of MDMA.
The man is set to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court today.
Detective Acting Inspector Richard Penney said one loaded firearm on the streets illegally was too many.
Anyone with information about illegal drug and firearm activity is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
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