Missing swimmer at Cataract Gorge, Power outage, Emergency landing, Man critical after crash

Tasmania Police have launched an investigation into the cause of a young woman’s death following a tragic day out at a popular tourist spot in the state’s north. LATEST UPDATES >>

For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest traffic, police, fire and ambulance news from across the state.

Missing swimmer, Cataract Gorge

10:30am, Thursday, January 27

A young woman who died while swimming at Cataract Gorge has been identified as a 22-year-old woman from interstate.

Tasmania Police said an investigation into the cause of her death has been launched and a police report is being prepared for the Coroner.

5.12pm, Wednesday, January 26

Police divers have recovered the body of a young woman in her early twenties from the First Basin at the Cataract Gorge after she vanished while swimming at the Cataract Gorge on Tuesday afternoon.

10:08pm Wednesday, January 26

Emergency services have resumed their search this morning for a swimmer who vanished while swimming at the Cataract Gorge yesterday afternoon.

The woman in her 20s became separated from her companions in the water around 1pm and was last seen at the First Basin.

It’s understood that HydroTasmania released water into the Gorge yesterday from 10am to 4pm for a paddling event, however it hasn’t been confirmed whether the two events are linked.

It's understood Hydro Tasmania released water for 'paddling' around the time the swimmer went missing. Source: Hydro Tasmania (website)

The Westpac Helicopter, a police drone, divers, and over 30 people including SES and Surf Lifesaving volunteers assisted in the search throughout yesterday.

Emergency services will return to the scene today and ask the public to avoid the area.

3:20pm Tuesday, January 25

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a police drone have been deployed to help search for a missing swimmer at the Cataract Gorge Reserve.

The search is ongoing and emergency services remain at the scene.

1:48pm Tuesday, January 25

A woman in her 20s has vanished in the water at Cataract Gorge Reserve in West Launceston.

Police and emergency services are at the scene searching for the swimmer who may be in distress.

The woman was reportedly separated from her swimming companions around 1:10pm. She was last seen at the Basin.

Authorities are urging people to avoid the area while the search is conducted.

Power cut to Salamanca businesses

Update 9.50pm:

A total of 473 customers remain without power in the Battery Point and Hobart areas.

The TasNetwork is reporting multiple different outages where the cause remains under investigation, with customers asked to check back in later.

8:30pm Monday, January 24

DINERS at Salamanca restaurants had their meals interrupted on Monday night as a power blackout hit several complexes in the tourist strip.

A string of hospitality businesses lost power about 8.20pm, with some customers making the best of the situation and sitting outdoors as light faded.

TasNetworks were last night investigating the outage, which was affecting almost 600 customers in the Battery Point and Hobart areas.

The blackout affected Salamanca hospitality businesses like Maldini and Botanica, as diners took their drinks and food outside.

The owner of Japanese restaurant Ichimei, Quiyang Meng, said it was the second power outage to affect his business in as many nights.

“We serve sushi and sashimi which doesn’t require any heating, so we can serve that,’’ he said.

Mr Meng said his customers wanted to stay to finish their meals, so he improvised.

“I got some spare candles in the store so I light it up for them,’’ he said.

Friends Hayden Cummings, Kelsey Intelisano, Shannyn Chisholm and Tessa Carter embraced the power outage, finishing their night out with smiles on their faces and with a candle in the middle of their table.

“They’ve done so well,’’ Tessa said of the staff.

On Sunday night, power was cut to the business for 50 minutes, while the outage had lasted at least an hour on Monday night.

The cause of the latest outage remained under investigation on Monday night, with customers asked to check back later.

Thieves strike volunteer fire station, Weymouth

3:30pm Monday, January 24

THIEVES have struck a volunteer fire station in Tasmania’s northeast, which is the third stealing incident at the station in the past 12 months.

Firefighting equipment including chainsaws and tools were taken from the Weymouth fire station in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police are now investigating and urging anyone with information to come forward.

During previous thefts, offenders have stolen equipment including eight UHF radios.

Tasmania Fire Service acting station officer of the northeast district, Roger Brown, said the theft was disappointing in the middle of a developing fire season.

“The sole fire truck for the brigade, which is equipped for firefighting response to protect the community, has had a number of important operational equipment items stolen, including eight UHF radios and chainsaws,’’ Mr Brown said.

Tasmania Fire Service. Richard Jupe

“The brigade looks after around 400 properties in the townships of Weymouth, Tamoshanter and Lulworth and has already responded to several fires this year.

“The theft of the equipment has widespread ramifications, as the volunteers, who selflessly volunteer to assist the community, are for a period without required equipment and their infrastructure is damaged.

“I ask anyone with information to come forward, and to be vigilant for any suspicious activity around fire stations.”

Anyone with information about the theft was urged to phone police on 131 444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Magpie causes freak power outage, Hobart

7pm Sunday January 23

A magpie has copped the blame for a freak power outage that affected over 25,000 homes in Hobart last night.

TasNetworks’ control team responded to the incident on Hobart’s western shore around 7:30pm to find that the bird had flown into a power pole’s equipment.

Freak outage for 25,000 Hobart customers caused by Magpie flying into pole. Picture: TasNetworks.

Freak outage for 25,000 Hobart customers caused by Magpie flying into pole. Picture: TasNetworks.

“Firstly, a magpie flew into the equipment lodged on a power pole in Forest Road, West Hobart, causing current to travel down the pole; that current flashed over and burst a metal underground water-main next to the footpath, unleashing a torrent of water. The ferocity of the incident caused major asset failure at TasNetworks’ Creek Road Sub-Station, triggering the large outage.”

A TasNetworks’ spokesperson said the substation’s damage was minimal and power was restored to all customers by 9pm.

Tasmania has around 30 to 40 unplanned power outages every week and while sudden transmission outages of last night’s size are “fairly rare” they do occur from time to time when external factors, like a bird strike, intervene.

8pm Sunday January 23

Tasmania Police and TasNetworks have reported a significant power outage in Hobart between Sandy Bay and Claremont.

25,000 properties have been effected as well as multiple traffic lights.

Motorists are being asked to slow down at intersections and give way to the right, using extreme caution.

Emergency landing, Wynyard

7pm Sunday January 23

A Regional Express flight to Melbourne has been turned back to the Burnie Airport at Wynyard after reports of smoke in the cabin.

Flight ZL3938 departed at 5:15pm and was on its way to Melbourne when reports of smoke resulted in the plane being turned back.

REX (regional express) plane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The plane made an emergency landing back in Wynyard and police and emergency services attended the scene after 7pm on Sunday.

Police say the aircraft landed safely and all passengers have since disembarked.

Police say there was no evidence of a fire on board the plane.

Missing person, New Town

5pm Sunday January 23

Police have issued a public appeal to help find 42-year-old Gordon Wilkinson who has been reported missing from New Town.

He was last seen in the local area on Saturday.

Authorities are urging anyone with any information about his whereabouts to contact 131 444.

Serious crash, Mowbray

Update – 3:13pm Sunday January 23

A 54-year-old man is fighting for life after a crash in Mowbray this morning.

It’s believed the ute he was travelling in veered off the side of Vermont Road and crashed onto railway tracks around 11am.

The Launceston local remains in a critical condition at the Launceston General Hospital.

Tasmania Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Anyone who has any information in relation to the crash or who witnessed a red dual cab

Holden Rodeo utility bearing Victorian registration plates travelling on Vermont Road at the around 11am is urged to contact Launceston Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

11:56am Sunday, January 23

A man has been transported to hospital with serious injuries after a crash on Vermont Road at Mowbray.

Tasmania Police said his vehicle left the road and drove onto railway tracks.

Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area with emergency services still at the scene.

Woman charged over serious North Hobart crash

10pm Saturday, January 22

An alleged drink driver from Blackmans Bay has been charged following a crash in North Hobart that has left a man in hospital.

Police were called to the corner of Warwick and Church streets around 1am on Saturday after a member of the public found a man with serious injuries on the side of the road.

The driver and the damaged vehicle were found nearby.

The man remains in a serious condition in the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The 45-year-old woman has been charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and failing to stop at the scene of an accident and has been bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.

Tasmania Police are continuing to investigate the incident and the possibility of additional charges.

Anyone who saw a white Hyundai sedan travelling in the North Hobart area around 1:00am, or anyone with information about the incident, is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.