Tasmania breaking news: Police call off search for paddleboarders allegedly in distress at Cremorne

Police have called off a search after they were unable to locate a group of paddleboarders reported to be experiencing distress off of a southern Tasmanian beach. The latest.

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Police call off search for paddleboarders reportedly in distress

UPDATE 4.17pm: Police have spoken to the group concerned and there are no longer searches underway.

3.49pm: Police have not been able to locate four stand-up paddleboarders believed to be in distress off of Cremorne Beach.

Police and specialist resources were called to the Cremorne Beach, Cremorne area after receiving reports of a group of people who may be in distress at that location.

Police aid the search is ongoing however nobody and nothing has been located at this stage.

Initial reports received by police were that there could be up to four stand up paddle board riders who may be in distress in that general area.

Police are seeking assistance from members of the public who may have any information in relation to this matter to contact Tasmania Police on 131444 or triple-0 in an emergency situation

Four fines issued following community tip-offs

11.22am: A community tip-off has helped police issue almost $3000 in fines to four individuals over the weekend relating to alleged littering, graffiti and starting an illegal campfire.

St Helens Police said four men were issued infringement notices in three separate incidents over the weekend.

A 20-year-old man was given a fine of $1010 after he was allegedly found spraying graffiti on the Scamander Bridge on Friday night.

A 19-year-old man allegedly found dumping building rubbish in a forest plantation near Beaumaris received a $1010 fine.

Police said two men were each given a $404 fine after they allegedly lit a campfire in the Cosy Corner North campground, located inside Bay of Fires Conservation Area.

Campfires are banned in national parks and reserves during the fire permit period, which police state is clearly signed in all campgrounds.

Police are asking anyone who witnesses illegal or anti-social behaviours to report the activity to police on 131 444.

Two crashes bring Bass Highway to halt

10.14am: The Bass Highway has been cleared following the crashes.

December 6, 9am: Two separate crashes on a highway in northwestern Tasmania have brought traffic to a halt, with the Bass Highway closed to westbound traffic on Monday.

Police and emergency services responded to reports of two separate crashes on the Bass Highway near Sulphur Creek on Monday morning around 6.30am.

Only minor injuries were reported, with police closing the Bass Hwy to westbound traffic towards Burnie prior to the roundabout at Sulphur Creek.

Police are assisting in crash clean-up efforts while the road remains closed.

Police have advised motorists to seek an alternate route if possible and approach that area with caution.

Man arrested after allegedly shooting at vehicle

12.30pm: Police have arrested and charged a northern Tasmanian man after shots were fired at an occupied car on Saturday.

Tasmania Police undertook a search at a Legana property following a firearms incident in the Beauty Point area.

Police alleged that a 24-year-old man from Legana shot from a vehicle containing two men at 11am on Saturday.

The shot was fired towards a second vehicle, containing a male passenger and driver who were not injured.

Police confirmed all men are known to each other.

The Legana man was arrested following a search of the address and charged with firearms offences and detained for court.

Police are continuing their investigations into the incident.

Four overnight rescues prompt bushwalker safety advice

December 5, 9.13am: Tasmania Police have issued a bushwalker safety reminder after four people were rescued overnight on Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday.

Police’s Marine and Rescue division responded to two Emergency position-indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) activations on Saturday.

Early on Saturday, a group walking in the Western Arthurs Range in southwest Tasmania activated their EPIRB after a member of their party suffered a medical episode.

Police rescue were able to extract the man via helicopter and transport him to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

At around 3pm on Saturday, a walker was reported missing on the Iron Bound Range on the South Coast Track in southern Tasmania.

Police said the man’s walking party activated an EPIRB and Garmin InReach device after the walker was several hours overdue to meet his group near the Iron Bound Range High Camp.

Police confirmed a helicopter was deployed to search for the missing walker, with the walker located and reunited with his party at around 7.30pm on Saturday.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was also dispatched at around 11pm on Saturday to rescue two female bushwalkers at Cradle Mountain.

Police said the paid became stranded without overnight equipment after they did not leave enough time to return before nightfall from the Summit Track.

They were located and winched to the helicopter about 12:40am.

“Police advise bushwalkers against walking alone, and to ensure they carry sufficient warm clothing, food, and emergency communication devices,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.

“A two-way messaging emergency device is preferred.”

Other recommendations by Police included:

– Ensure you’re prepared with appropriate equipment – take a map and torch, clothing and footwear to suit any conditions, regardless of the season take a waterproof jacket; adequate food and water, first aid kit.

– Research your intended trip – ensure the trip is within your abilities and fitness level, and you have a route plan, map and check the expected weather forecast.

– Let someone know before you go – ensure someone knows your route and expected return time.

– Always carry a fully charged mobile phone and consider a portable charger to extend battery life. Batteries do not last as long when cold and mobile navigation apps deplete batteries quicker than other apps.

– Carry a Personal Locator Beacon but be aware that they are a one-way communication device.

– Be flexible. Be prepared to turn back or change plans if severe weather is forecast or eventuates during the walk. Making the decision to push on when you should turn back can put you in danger.

Alleged evade incident results in two people charged

10.05am: Two people have been charged following an alleged police evasion incident in northern Tasmania on Friday.

Tasmania Police were called to a Forth property on noon Friday following reports of a burglary.

Police said they attempted to intercept a vehicle, that then evaded police along several rural roads until the vehicle and its occupants were taken into custody “without further incident”.

A 28-year-old man from Forth was taken into custody and charged with numerous offences relating to firearms, drugs, stolen property, breach of bail, driving while disqualified, evade police, burglary, stealing, reckless driving and possessing a dangerous article in a public place.

A 25-year-old Newnham woman was also charged with offences relating to possession of stolen property and breach of bail.

No physical injuries were reported from the incident and investigations remain ongoing into the burglary.

Police have asked anyone with information or dashcam footage of a blue Ford Mondeo travelling in the Forth, Ulverstone or Rianna areas on Friday to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000.

CBD strip again closed due to burst water main

January 4, 8am: A part of Liverpool Street has again been closed to through traffic due to a burst water main, the same location as a break earlier this week.

TasWater Operations Manager South Dario Fernandes said it was alerted at around 5am on Saturday to a burst 150mm water main outside 161 Liverpool Street Hobart.

Part of Liverpool Street was closed on Saturday while TasWater repaired a burst water main. Picture: Genevieve Holding

“Our crews were onsite by 5.20am to shut off the water and begin repairs,” he said.

“About 10 properties along Liverpool Street are now without water while we undertake repairs.

“We expect the repairs to take approximately six hours.”

Shortly after the alert to the burst water main, Tasmania Police shut off the section of Liverpool Street between Harrington and Murray Street to vehicles, asking that pedestrians use caution and follow signage.

Another water main burst in the same location on Thursday, inundating businesses with water while the repairs took place.

It is not yet clear if the water main that burst on Saturday was also the cause of Thursday’s flooding.

Part of Liverpool Street was closed on Saturday while TasWater repaired a burst water main. Picture: Genevieve Holding

Charges laid after alleged altercation between teenagers

January 3, 1pm: A 15-year-old boy will face court over an alleged altercation involving three others at Wynyard.

Police have charged the teenager after a 17-year-old allegedly suffered significant injuries to his face.

Officers say they responded to reports a disturbance involving four teenagers in Inglis St, Wynyard about 12.20 on Sunday, 29 December.

Police allege the teenagers — two aged 17 and two aged 15 — were known to each other with the injured teen transported to the North West Regional Hospital with serious, but not-life-threatening injuries.

The 15-year-old boy reportedly presented to Burnie Police Station on Thursday and has since been charged with Criminal Code Assault.

He is set to appear in the youth justice division of the Burnie Magistrates Court at a later date.

Originally published as Tasmania breaking news: Police call off search for paddleboarders allegedly in distress at Cremorne