Dunalley community devastated after beloved woman, 52, killed in Copping crash

The Dunalley community has been left reeling after the death of a beloved community member who had lost her home in the 2013 bushfires.

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THE Dunalley woman who died in a head-on Arthur Highway crash on Saturday had lost her home in the 2013 bushfires.

The South-East town has been left devastated by the tragic loss of a beloved community member in the crash near Copping.

Dunalley was hit hard 2013 when a bushfire tore through the area, destroying homes and lives.

Now more than seven years on, the community has been dealt yet another devastating blow.

The horror crash, on the Arthur Highway about 5.50pm on Saturday, occurred when a 29-year-old Tranmere woman driving a black Volkswagen lost control on a sweeping left-hand bend at Red Hill.

The car collided head-on with a north-bound silver Hyundai hatch, which was being driven by a 25-year-old Dunalley woman with her 52-year-old mother in the passenger seat.

Her mother died at the scene.

The Tranmere woman’s three-year-old passenger was uninjured, but the two drivers were taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Acting Sergeant Adam Hall of Crash Investigation Services said he had not yet been able to speak to the daughter, however, she remains in a stable condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

“I’m sure she’s not travelling too well given the fact that she was just involved in a collision where her mum passed away beside her,” he said.

The town of Dunalley in Tasmania’s south east.

A Dunalley local said the 52-year-old woman who lost her life in the crash was very well-loved and had lost her home in the 2013 bushfires.

“It’s going to be really hard for the family,” she said.

“It’s devastating. They lost their house in the bushfires and they were just starting to get over it.

“Everybody is really going to feel the loss. We all really feel for the family.”

A truck loaded with water on the scene of the 2013 Dunalley bushfires. Picture: Richard Jupe

People have also taken to social media to express their condolences.

”Rest in peace beautiful lady, condolences to family, you are already missed,” one person wrote.

“A special lady gone but always remembered,” wrote another.

Acting Sergeant Hall thanked the first responders for their assistance on a tragic day.

“I understand that some of the first people on the scene assisted all occupants in the vehicles and we’re very grateful,” he said.

“It’s been a horrific 48 hours on the road — not only for crash investigators and police, but for all the other emergency services.

“When you think about where a lot of these crashes occur, a lot of the emergency service workers and first responders are volunteers, so local community people — who like the fatality (on Sunday) — would have known the lady that died in that crash.

“It’s certainly hard for them, terrible for families and it’s something that takes a toll on people.”

Acting Sergeant Hall said initial investigations suggested the 29-year-old woman lost control in wet weather, with alcohol and drugs not believed to be a factor.

Police expressed their sincere condolences to the woman’s friends and family.

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