THE BEAT: Successful end to search for missing child

A missing eleven-year-old girl has returned home overnight, plus police have released images of an armed robber in an appeal to the public for help locating the suspect. SEE PHOTOS + LATEST BREAKING NEWS >>

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

Police looking for missing child

UPDATE: Tuesday, May 3

Tasmania Police have confirmed a missing eleven-year-old has been located safe and well overnight.

Police thanked the community for sharing infomation online.

Monday, May 3

A young girl Hayley Barnes, 11, has been missing since lunch time today.

The girl was last seen at Exeter High School north of Launceston wearing a summer uniform with a blue school spray jacket, black socks, black sneakers and glasses.

“Police and family are concerned for the welfare of Hayley Barnes, 11, of Exeter in northern Tasmania,” a Tasmania Police Facebook post read.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts should contact Exeter Police on 131 444.

Robbery – Ulverstone

Monday, May 3: An armed robber remains at large after an aggravated armed robbery in Ulverstone late last night.

Police allege a man approached the gaming lounge bar at the Lighthouse Hotel with what appeared to be the barrel of a firearm and demanded the cash drawer.

The female attendant emptied the contents of the cash drawer into a small blue backpack, belonging to the male before he left through the rear exit at the car park.

CCTV footage of an alleged armed robber at the Lighthouse Hotel in Ulverstone Picture: Supplied

The man is described as wearing black or dark clothing and was last seen running in a south westerly direction along the train line.

No one was injured during the incident and police believe it was an isolated incident.

If anyone has information that may assist, please contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

‘Serious’ two vehicle collision at Smithton

Monday, May 3

UPDATE, 4.35pm:

Two injured people are being taken via ambulance to hospital following a crash this afternoon.

Police have remained on the scene at the two vehicle crash on the Bass Hwy, Smithton.

Though one lane has reopened during the hour following the incident, Tasmania Police have urged motorists to continue avoiding the area and to expect delays until the scene is cleared.

INITIAL:

A crash in the north of the state has seen emergency services and police rush to the area for assistance.

Police said two vehicles collided on the Bass Hwy at Smithton some time before 3.35pm this afternoon.

Details surrounding injuries have not yet been revealed.

Road users have been asked to avoid the area and expect delays until the scene is cleared.

Missing hikers – Tasman Peninsula

UPDATE, 8.35am: The two bushwalkers missing overnight on the Tasman Peninsula have been located.

“The two bushwalkers missing overnight found their bearings at daylight, walked out to the carpark and met police a short time ago,” a Tasmania Police spokesman said.

INITIAL: Search efforts for two missing hikers on the Tasman Peninsula have been unsuccessful despite an extensive land and air search overnight.

Police including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter are continuing their efforts in the Fazackerley Range near Murdunna on the Tasman Peninsula.

The two men are believed to be in the 60s and were on a walk to MacGregors Peak when they became disoriented and contacted police about 4pm yesterday.

Police said a thermal imaging drone and search and rescue ground crew worked to find the men overnight but were unsuccessful.

The search will resume at first light this morning and police have said the weather conditions are good.

Sunday, May 2

Motorcyclist crashes into business building

A Legana man has died after losing control of his motorbike.

Tasmania Police said the 29-year-old died at the scene on the Tasman Hwy at Waverly, near Launceston after he crashed into a vacant business about 9.30pm Saturday.

“Initial investigations indicate that speed may have been a contributing factor,” a Launceston Station spokeswoman said.

Police request anyone who may have witnessed the crash or observed the motor cycle before the crash to contact Launceston Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au

3pm May 2

Fire at deputy premier’s office

ARSONISTS have attacked the electorate office of Braddon MP Jeremy Rockliff in the hours after the Liberal party claimed their third election win in a row.

Mr Rockliff polled 27.2 per cent of the primary vote in Braddon in Saturday’s election — more than the entire Labor ticket of five candidates — and easily enough to secure his re-election

But police were called to the premises in Best Street, Devonport at 12.20am on Sunday after an intruder alarm activated.

Responding officers found flames around the external front window area which were quickly extinguished, Inspector Shane LeFevre said.

“The flames had begun to burn some carpet directly under the door and the office there was smoke in the inside,” he said.

“Two windows suffered minor cracking at the base due to the heat and initial investigations suggest a liquid accelerant was used on the external frontage.”

The offenders did not manage to gain entry to the premises. Damage was estimated at several thousand dollars.

Anyone with information that could assist the police investigation is asked to call 131 444 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.

EARLIER

2.46pm May 2

Murder charges follow brutal assault

A TEEN has on Sunday been charged with murdering a 51-year-old man.

The 19-year-old Sorell man has been detained after he assaulted the older man in the township on March 10.

Tasmania Police said the attack inflicted “significant head injuries” on the victim. He died at the Royal Hobart Hospital at 11.45pm on Saturday May 1, nearly two months after the assault.

“Tasmania Police wish to express their sincere condolences to the family of the deceased at this difficult time and thank members of the Sorell community who have assisted in the investigation of this incident,” a Bellerive CIB spokesman said.

The 19-year-old will face court on May 3.

EARLIER

12.20pm May 2

Witnesses sought in serious assault

A MAN is in hospital in a serious condition after he was allegedly assaulted outside a Hobart night spot.

Police said the incident occurred about 1.05am on Sunday outside the Cargo Bar in Salamanca.

Cargo Bar where a serious assault took place. Photo: FILE

An altercation happened between two men who did not know each other, during which one was punched by the other and lost consciousness.

The man was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a serious condition.

Police said they arrested the alleged offender after he attempted to flee the scene.

He was charged with assault and bailed.

Any witnesses should phone police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Man dies in Zeehan crash

A MAN has died in a crash on the state’s west coast overnight described by Tasmania Police as “an avoidable tragedy.”

At around 12.30am this morning, police and emergency services were alerted to a single vehicle crash on Main Street, Zeehan.

Tasmania Police said in a statement a white 2018 Toyota Landcruiser crashed into a brick wall.

The main street of Zeehan, West Coast of Tasmania. Photo: FILE

Emergency services found the man, believed to be a Zeehan local, already dead and he is understood to have been the only person in the vehicle.

Police have identified speed as a contributing factor to the crash.

“This is another avoidable tragedy and police are pleading for the motoring public to consider the ramifications of reckless driving behaviour on our roads,” Inspector Shane LeFevre said.

Western Crash Investigation Services are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and will prepare a report for the coroner.

Any one who may have seen the white 2018 Toyota Landcruiser travelling in the Zeehan area in the hours prior to the crash is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000