Residents slam Bass Hwy at Latrobe in Tasmania’s North West after fatal crash

A notorious and “shocking” stretch of roadway in Tasmania’s North West has come under fire after two recent fatalities, including the death of a teenager on Sunday. What’s being done to fix it >

Residents say more needs to be done to fix the road. Picture: GoogleMaps.

A notorious and “shocking” stretch of roadway in Tasmania’s North West has come under fire after two recent fatalities, including the death of a teenager on Sunday.

Latrobe man Troy Kenny, 18, was critically injured Sunday night in a three-vehicle crash on a rain-soaked Bass Hwy at Latrobe near TasFreight Services, around 7.30pm.

He was rushed to Mersey Community Hospital but later died from his injuries.

Latrobe‘s Graham Wells, 68, died October last year in a head-on collision 850 metres from the scene of Mr Kenny’s fatal crash.

At the time, Mr Wells’ family pleaded with the public in the wake of his death to drive carefully in wet conditions.

The road has been subject to several fatalities over the years. This picture is from a 2004 fatality. Picture: Chris Kidd.

Mr Kenny is the 16th person to die on Tasmanian roads this year.

His death comes as residents have criticised the roadway, calling it “shocking”.

The Mercury has reported on dozens of crashes on the Latrobe highway section over the years, including several fatalities.

In response to the concern, Transport Minister Michael Ferguson says a $280m upgrade to the Bass Hwy will make it “safer”.

Three-vehicle crash at Latrobe. A 38-year-old Wynyard man was killed instantly when the Mitsubishi Pajero four-wheel-drive (4WD) he was driving was hit by a westbound Nissan truck on the Bass Highway at Latrobe. Picture: Chris Kidd.

One Facebook user said “How many more fatalities do we have to endure before something is done to fix this spot? So many families torn apart by poor roads, It just shouldn’t happen,” they wrote.

Another said the road surface was “terrible” and “water builds up so badly on it.”

Another added: “Fix the damn road. There has been too many crashes there.”

One person said the stretch of road was “shocking in bad weather” and “you can’t even see the white lines”.

Another person said they had a near-miss on Sunday: “I hit water on the road on Sunday near where the accident occurred. It was like driving into a lake,” they wrote.

“Couldn’t see it because of the rain and visibility. A huge amount of water came up over our bonnet like a wave. Shocked us.”

Bass Hwy at Latrobe. Picture: GoogleMaps.

Someone added: “Far too much water on it. Vehicles aquaplane on it”.

Minister Ferguson said he offered “heartfelt condolences” to Mr Kenny’s family and friends, and would not comment on the circumstances of the crash.

“What I can say is that we are investing $280 million in major upgrades to the Bass Highway to make it safer and more efficient for all road users.”

Tasmania Police said there was “significant downpour” at the time of the collision – and indicated the rain may have been a contributing factor.

But Sergeant Melinda Horan on Monday told the Mercury she did not want to speculate about the circumstances of the crash until a full investigation had been carried out.

Asked whether the stretch of highway was a “black spot”, Sgt Horan said she wouldn’t use that terminology.

“After each serious motor vehicle crash, the crash scene investigators do liaise with State Growth and if there’s any aspects that are identified as contributing factors those are addressed in due course.”