Tasmania breaking news: Teen charged with manslaughter after tragic waterfront drowning

On Monday a 27 year old man tragically died in Hobart’s waterfront, after he was allegedly pushed. Police have now charged a teenager with manslaughter. Latest.

Friends and family of the drowning victim at the Hobart waterfront scene: Picture: Craig Herbert

A 17 year old has been charged with manslaughter after he allegedly pushed a 27 year old man into the water at Hobart’s Princess Wharf, moments before he tragically drowned.

The teen is one of four people charged over the incident, with three others facing the singular charge of aggravated robbery, a charge the 17 year old male will also answer to.

It’s alleged the group had attempted to steal the handbag of the woman accompanying the man who landed in the water.

The woman was also allegedly pushed into the water, but she was able to swim to safety.

The group were detained and will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Teens in custody after waterfront drowning

January 30, 6:30pm: Four people, including three teens, have been taken into custody in relation to a drowning in Hobart on Monday night.

A Tasmania Police spokesperson has confirmed a 17 year old and a 25 year old, both female, were arrested following a search in the Glenorchy region.

Further searches in Claremont led to the arrest of a 17 year old and a 19 year old, both male.

It’s understood no charges have been laid at this stage.

Police believe couple were pushed into water, leading to man’s death

January 30, 3pm: Police have revealed a young man who drowned in Hobart’s waterfront on Monday night may have been pushed by someone trying to steal a woman’s handbag.

Police say the 27-year-old man was sitting with a woman in her 20s at Hobart’s Princess Wharf, when they were approached.

“We had a male and female sitting on the edge of the wharf, enjoying each other’s company and talking, when a person not known to them has pushed them into the water to simply steal a handbag,” Tasmania Police detective inspector David Gill said.

The woman was able to swim to safety, but the man was unable to be saved, despite rescue attempts by two passing members of the public.

Police divers at the Hobart waterfront scene of the drowning: Picture: Craig Herbert

“This is a disgraceful, cowardly act which has resulted in a terrible tragedy, a tragedy that will haunt the young female for the rest of her life along with the family and friends of the deceased male,” inspector Gill said.

Inspector Gill said police had made extensive investigations, and deployed divers to survey the area.

“We do believe there were more than one person involved and we’re following a very specific line of inquiry to identify those persons involved,” he said.

“We are treating this as a very serious criminal investigation.”

He urged the people involved to turn themselves in.

“The persons involved know damn well what occurred last night, I implore them to come forward before we find them,” he said.

Police divers at the Hobart waterfront scene of the drowning: Picture: Craig Herbert

“We’ve received assistance from members of the public and CCTV has been reviewed in relation to the area.

“CCTV forms one part of the investigation, hence why we’re calling on members of the public that may have been in that area last night between nine and ten, to come forward.”

Police have not yet recovered the handbag and are working to determine whether it is in the water, or whether it was taken.

Police say there is no evidence to suggest alcohol was a contributing factor.

Tragic circumstances led to man drowning after rescue attempts

Police divers at the Hobart waterfront scene of the drowning: Picture: Craig Herbert

Earlier: Police have confirmed a 27-year-old man has tragically died after an incident on Hobart’s Princess Wharf on Monday night.

Reports were made of a man and woman falling into the water in the vicinity of PW1, and police arrived at the scene about 10pm.

Detective Inspector David Gill said the woman managed to swim to safety and climbed out of the water using a nearby ladder and raised alarm.

However, the man, who could not swim, struggled to stay on the surface, he said.

“Two passing members of the public initially entered the water to help the man, with police attending shortly afterwards finding all three men struggling,” Detective Inspector Gill said.

Officers reportedly then entered the water and pulled the man onto the rear deck of the PV Van Diemen, which was moored nearby.

A 27-year-old drowned after an incident on Hobart's Princess Wharf I on Monday night, January 29, 2024. Picture by Tasmania Police

The two members of the public climbed out of the water using a nearby ladder.

Other emergency services rushed to the scene, including paramedics who provided medical assistance.

“Sadly the man could not be revived,” Detective Inspector Gill said.

“I would like to recognise the heroic efforts of the passing members of the public who entered the water in an attempt to rescue the man – as well as the outstanding efforts of our responding police and emergency service personnel under very difficult circumstances.”

He said police were in the process of notifying next of kin, so were unable to provide further details about the victim at this stage.

Initial investigations indicate there were a number of people in the area, including people fishing.

Dead body pulled from water at Hobart’s waterfront

Initial

A man has been found dead in the water near Hobart’s Franklin Wharf.

Police confirmed a man had been pulled from the water dead.

Officers were called to the incident just after 10pm on Monday evening.

“An investigation is underway into the circumstances prior to the man entering the water,” a police spokesperson said.

People were asked to avoid the area while emergency responders were at the scene.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police on 131 444.