Man killed in early morning crash in Tassie’s north

A man has died after his car crashed into a tree in the state’s north-east early this morning. LATEST BREAKING NEWS >>

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Fatal crash at Mount Direction - 8:37am, Friday July 8

Police are urging drivers to put on their seatbelts and drive to the conditions after a Pipers River man died in a car crash about 12km from his home in the state’s North East early on Friday morning.

The 57-year-old was travelling in his Mazda ute along Old Bangor Tram Road at Mount Direction when his car left the road and hit a tree.

Police say the man had been travelling towards his home and initial inquiries suggest he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Inspector Ruth Orr said that significantly contributed to his injuries and ultimately his death.

Three people came across the crash shortly before 5am on Friday morning and called emergency services.

“One of those men commenced CPR and certainly tried to render medical assistance to the man,” she said.

The 57-year-old was the only occupant of the car and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.

“From observations at the scene the crash investigators believe that the vehicle crashed some time probably well before the passers-by found it,” Inspector Orr said.

“Whether the road conditions at the time, it was fairly cold last night, so there may have been ice or frost on the road, whether the man swerved to avoid an animal at that time of night that’s a possibility, probably speed may have been involved at this stage, whether or not alcohol or drugs were, that will form part of our investigations,” she said.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

“I can only reiterate to the public to take care on our roads, particularly this time of year where we do have some weather conditions that come into play with cold conditions and frost and ice on the road, please adhere to the driving conditions and put your seatbelt on,” said Inspector Orr.

Port Sorell seige resolved - 9:50pm, Thursday, July 8

At 9:50pm on Thursday night a 41-year-old man was taken into police custody after having barricaded himself inside a Blackwood Crt home for over 11 hours.

Nearby residents who were evacuated from their homes were able to return safely around two hours following the siege’s resolution, with police still investigating at the scene.

No one was injured.

Port Sorell seige continues - 6pm, Thursday, July 8

A MAN believed to be armed remains barricaded inside his home in Tasmania’s north-west, as police prepare for negotiations to continue into the evening.

Specialist negotiators have been engaging with the 41-year-old man, the occupant of the Port Sorell home, since being called to the Blackwood Crt property about 10.15am.

Police said a woman and child who were relatives of the man left the property early in the operation, while occupants of neighbouring properties have been evacuated as a precaution.

Detective Inspector Kim Steven said a significant number of police were at the scene throughout Thursday, with negotiations ongoing and hopes of a peaceful resolution.

“We’re getting close to the evening now and the hours are going by but everything is going OK at the moment,’’ he said.

“The initial call was that he was armed with a knife. We’re talking to him and hopefully we’ll get a peaceful resolution at some stage.”

Detective Inspector Steven said the man was in his own home, and that the man was previously known to police.

“The concern is his own welfare and wellbeing. There’s some issues about his mental health that we’re concerned about and so that’s why we’ll negotiate until we can get a peaceful resolution and that’s our aim,’’ he said.

“Our negotiators are talking to him intermittently throughout the day.”

Detective Inspector Steven would not say if the man had made any threat to police.

“There’s a number of comments being made but that’s not unusual in these circumstances,’’ he said.

“We’re well rehearsed on these procedures of this type of incident and we’ll use our normal procedures to hopefully negotiate a peaceful resolution.

“We take as much time as we need.”

Glenorchy fire – Thursday July 8

Tasmania Fire Service crews and Tasmania Police are on the scene of a structure fire In Glenorchy

Crews were called to the fire on Kenbrae Ave about 1.45pm.

A Mercury reporter on the scene said crews remain in the area but the fire appears under control.

Tasmania Fire Crews on the scene of a fire at Kenbrae Ave in Glenorchy. Photo: Nikki Davis-Jones

Two tankers and numerous police crews attended the blaze, closing off the street while the fire was contained. The street has since reopened.

The Mercury understands the fire was called in by a nearby resident.

Man reportedly armed inside North West Tassie home – Thursday, July 8

Police are at the scene of a home in Port Sorell where a man believed to be armed has barricaded himself inside.

Tasmania Police said there are no occupants in the Blackwood Court residence.

Nearby properties are being evacuated as police respond to the incident.

Drivers are being urged to avoid the area. More to come.