Tasmania breaking news: Five hospitalised, gas leak prompts CBD evacuation as police investigate car crash
A small car which crashed in Devonport left a trail of destruction in its wake, resulting in five being hospitalised, significantly damaging shops and causing a serious gas leak. Latest.
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Potential gas leak after car strikes pedestrian, crashes into building
Updated January 12, 6pm
A small car which crashed in Devonport’s CBD left a trail of destruction in its wake, allegedly resulting in five people being rushed to hospital, causing significant damage to shops and possibly setting off a serious gas leak, which prompted the evacuation of hundreds from the CBD.
Police were called to Rooke Street after 2pm on Friday, after two pedestrians were allegedly hit by a small car, which police said had mounted the footpath.
“At this stage a 61 year old female has been taken to the North West Regional Hospital and is being flown to Hobart. She has some serious injuries,” Tasmania Police inspector Shane LeFevre said.
Tasmania Fire Service North West district officer Mark Browning said a nail salon and a Turkish shop were significantly damaged.
He said the crash also resulted in significant damage to the gas network in Devonport’s CBD, prompting a delicate operation.
“Our crews found the vehicle had crashed into the side of the building and broken the gas main which created a significant gas leak within the CBD of Devonport,” he said.
“It was a perfect storm for the location of the gas valve to shut off and where the vehicle struck the shop is right outside where the gas isolation valve was.
“It wasn’t as simple as flicking a switch.”
Three people were taken to hospital, with minor injuries believed to be linked to the gas leak.
Meanwhile, to avoid accidental ignitions, hundreds of people in the CBD were evacuated.
“The gas has gone into some of the shops, we need to ensure there isn’t any gas before we open up to the public,” Mr Brownrigg said.
Police say the driver of the car was transported to hospital to undertake mandatory testing.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing and at this stage, no charges have been laid.
4:30pm
Police have revealed two pedestrians were hit before a car crashed into a building at Devonport’s Rooke Street after 2pm.
Police have set up a 100 metre exclusion zone as they investigate a possible gas leak at the crash site.
Those who own businesses along Rooke Street are asked to assist police in accessing buildings.
Roads around the CBD will be blocked until the situation is resolved.
3.25pm
Electricity in the Devonport CBD has been switched off while a gas leak is being fixed.
Emergency services were called to the incident where a car crash struck a pedestrian and crashed into a building.
That incident lead to what police have confirmed as a gas leak in the area on Rooke St.
A 100m exclusion zone remains in place around the vicinity and roads around the CBD remain blocked until the scene is rendered safe.
At this stage, one person has been transported to hospital with serious injuries.
2:41pm
Tasmania Police has evacuated parts of Devonport after a crash sparks concern for a potential gas leak on Rooke St.
Officers report a vehicle struck a pedestrian and the front of a building on Friday afternoon.
Police say there is a potential for a gas leak in the area and have put a 100m exclusion zone in place around the vicinity.
“Anyone in the area is asked to leave the vicinity,” police say.
Police have blocked off the bottom of King St on Formby St.
At this stage injuries to those involved in the incident are unknown.
Kayaker rescued from popular fishing spot after encountering difficulty
January 12, 3.31pm:
Search and rescue resources were deployed to assist a distressed kayaker at Midway Point at about 2pm on Friday.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter and police vessels located the kayaker, who had fallen out of his kayak off McGees Bridge, and returned them to shore a short time later.
No injuries were reported.
Spike in dishonest tradespeople spams triggers warning
January 12, 1.38pm
Tasmanians have been told to be on high alert of a potential driveway scam police say is operating in Northern Tasmania.
Detective Acting Inspector Aleena Crack said there had previously been reports relating to dishonest tradespeople across the state, and most recently in Launceston.
The scammers are believed to operate nationally and have previously offered both businesses and residents driveway repairs, or roof painting services.
In some cases, it’s alleged the scammers have completed the work despite the business or resident declining the offer, using intimidation tactics and providing what appears to be a legitimate business card or invoice.
“The work has been of poor quality and they have charged highly inflated prices,” Detective Acting Inspector Crack said.
“In previous reports, the scammers spoke with English or Irish accents and used high pressure sales tactics saying they had leftover asphalt from a previous job which could be used for driveways.
“Police urge everyone to be wary of unsolicited approaches of this nature and contact police immediately if they feel unsafe or threatened.”
Scams can be reported to scamwatch.gov.au
Log truck damages into house, downs power lines after rolling over
Updated January 12, 8am
A house has been extensively damaged after logs spilt from a rolled over truck and smashed into the building.
Emergency crews were called to the scene on Frankford Rd, about 500m west of Glengarry Road in the state’s North at about 3.30pm on Thursday.
A prime mover and log trailer had tipped onto its side and slid along the roadway after failing to navigate a sweeping bend.
Officers report the load of logs spilt from the truck, downing power lines and colliding with a house beside the road.
No one was in the house at the time of the crash, police say, but the building was extensively damaged.
Small spot fires in dry grass on the roadside were also reportedly ignited from the crash, which fire fighters promptly extinguished.
The driver of the truck was treated at the scene before being taken to the Launceston General Hospital with minor injuries.
The incident blocked Frankford Rd for more than four hours while the scene was cleared.
Earlier January 11, 5.08
Emergency services will take the next four hours to clear the truck crash on Frankford Rd, Glengarry.
Police report traffic being diverted at Glengarry Rd, South Winkleight Rd and Lamont Rd.
All heavy vehicles have been asked to avoid the area, as they won’t get through the diversion
No serious injuries have been reported as a result of the crash.
Initial 3.55pm
Emergency services have rushed to a truck crash on Frankford Rd at Glengarry in the state’s north.
The truck has blocked off the road due to the incident, near 992 Frankford Rd.
Motorists have been asked to avoid the area until the scene is cleared.
At this stage, no injuries have been reported.
Beach closed: Water quality unsafe for recreational limits
January 10, 12:10pm:
Freers Beach at Shearwater has closed after water quality testing.
An elevated level of E. coli, surpassing the acceptable threshold, was found during weekly water quality testing.
The council says as a precautionary measure and in the interest of public safety, the beach will be temporarily closed to the affected section.
The closure extends from Rice St, Port Sorell north to North Freers Beach at the Port Sorell Surf Life Saving Club.
Latrobe mayor Peter Freshney said the health and safety of the community was of paramount importance.
“In response to the elevated entercocci levels at Freers Beach, we have taken the proactive measure of closing the affected section to protect the public,” councillor Freshney said.
“We are committed to conducting further sampling today, and an update on the situation will be provided this Friday.”
Signage has been installed to indicate the beach’s closure and the council has urged for beachgoers to adhere to the instructions.
The closure does not impact Hawley Beach or Freers Beach south of Rice St through to the Panatana Family park.
The council says it’s working diligently to address the issue promptly.
Police charge Scamander man over alleged firearms incident
January 10, 12:02pm
A 40-year-old has been charged over an alleged firearms incident at a rural property on the East Coat on Monday night.
Officers report the Scamander man allegedly threatened people with the firearm while on the private property at Upper Scamander.
Police were called to the scene after the firearm was allegedly discharged.
No one was injured in the incident, and police believe the people involved were known to each other.
Police seized the firearm allegedly used in the incident.
The man has been charged with firearms-related offences, as well as alleged aggravated burglary and aggravated assault.
The man was detained and is set to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Youth charged over Rocherlea disturbance
January 10, 10:30am
A 17 year old boy has been charged with being unlawfully armed in public and with assault over a disturbance in Rocherlea, where a woman was left injured.
Police say it was 5pm on Monday when they received reports of a verbal disagreement between a group of youths and others at Sassafras Crescent.
Police allege the youths left the area, but returned armed with weapons.
A woman sustained non life threatening injuries during the alleged incident.
Charges were laid against two youths, the second a 16 year old boy who was charged over unrelated matters.
The two will appear at the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.
Meanwhile, police is investigating whether a third youth was involved.
Motorcycle travelling over 200km/h on highway, police say
January 10, 9.43am
Police have seized the motorcycle of a 32-year-old Ulverstone man after he was allegedly driving at over 200 kilometres per hour on the Bass Highway on Tuesday afternoon.
Officers report detecting the motorcycle speeding near Sulphur Creek.
The driver was also allegedly driving under the influence of illicit substances after officers reported he returned a positive indication to a roadside drug test.
The man will face court at a later date.
Acting Inspector Craig Harvey of Western Road Policing Services said it was extremely concerning behaviour that posed a significant risk of serious injury or death.
“We know that speeding and driving under the influence of illicit substances form part of the ‘Fatal Five’ which are known to contribute to serious and fatal crashes,” Acting Inspector Harvey said.
“Tasmania Police will continue to have an increased presence on the roads during the summer holiday period. Anyone undertaking this sort of high-risk driving behaviour can expect to be detected and face significant consequences.”
Tasmania Police asks anyone who witnesses dangerous driving behaviour to contact police on 131 444.
Police charge man who allegedly crashed car into Bridgewater home
January 9, 5pm: Police have charged a 43 year old man after he allegedly crashed a car into a house in Bridgewater and then fled the scene.
Police say the gold Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by the man, crossed onto the wrong side of Scotts Road, before crashing through a metal fence and then into the side of the home.
Police say the man took off but was later located by authorities.
No one was injured.
The man has been charged with driving stealing a motor vehicle, driving without care and attention and with being a driver involved in an accident and failing to stop.
He’ll face court at a later date.
Flares believed to have sparked three separate fires on New Year’s Eve
January 9: Police investigations into three major fire outbreaks in the Strahan area on New Year’s Eve suggest the blazes were ignited by flares.
Shortly after midnight, Tasmania Fire Service was called to three separate fires in and around the West Coast town.
Officers report investigations indicated the fires were caused by the unlawful discharging of flares from several locations across Strahan.
Sergeant Danny Jackson said several of the flares were seen being discharged within the township of Strahan at midnight and from West Strahan beach during the early hours of the morning.
He said the incident could have put homes and infrastructure at risk.
Flares, usually used by marine vessels in distress, can reach altitudes of up to 300 metres and burn for around 40 seconds.
“This means the flares, if fired over land, have a significant likelihood of causing a fire if they fall onto combustible material,” Sergeant Jackson said.
“This behaviour not only creates the need for a significant emergency services response, leaving other towns with limited resources, but also causes alarm within the community and has the potential to impact homes and businesses in the area as well as threatening wildlife and the environment.
He said it was an offence to activate an emergency distress flare unless during a genuine emergency.
Anyone with information about those responsible have been encouraged to contact police.
Sergeant Jackson said investigators were particularly interested in any CCTV or mobile phone footage capturing the offences.
Information can be provided by contacting police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
Vehicle crashes into house in northern suburbs
January 9, 11.49: Emergency services are responding to a vehicle that has reportedly crashed into a house on Scott Road at Bridgewater.
Police say no injuries have been reported.
More to come.
Motorists urged to avoid busy city highway after crash
Updated January 9, 8.35: Traffic is now flowing through the Brooker Highway at Glebe after the earlier crash was cleared.
Initial 8.15am: Emergency services have rushed to a crash on the Brooker Highway, Glebe near Federal Street.
The crash is impacting traffic heading towards the city.
No serious injuries have been reported.
Motorists have been asked to avoid the area and to seek an alternative route while the scene is cleared.
Second man charged after allegedly smashing of business windows
A 19-year-old Somerset man is the second person to be charged over alleged property damage after more than 40 windows of a Burnie business were smashed.
On Friday, police had charged an 18-year-old man after the alleged incident on Burnie’s Wilson Street on January 2.
Man charged after approaching camper while allegedly armed with knife
January 8, 1.30pm: A 54-year-old Forth man has been charged by police after allegedly being armed with a knife while approaching a fellow camper at Forth Recreational Ground on Sunday at about 6pm.
Police say the suspect allegedly approached the other man while armed with a knife following a verbal argument between the pair.
Officers reported a 55-year-old Ulverstone man was hurt with non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the incident.
Emergency services quickly responded to the scene as police arrested the alleged offender.
Nobody else was physically injured or threatened.
Police believed this was an isolated incident and the two men were known to each other.
The 54-year-old man was charged on Sunday night with wounding and unlawfully possessing a dangerous article in a public place.
He was bailed to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.
Officers have thanked members of the public who assisted at the scene before emergency services were called.
Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
Single vehicle crash on rural road
Updated January 8, 11:43am: The crash has been cleared at Pages Road, Calder.
No injuries were reported from the incident.
Initial 11:08am: Emergency services are responding to a single vehicle crash on Pages Road, Calder in the state’s North-West.
No serious injuries have been reported at this stage.
However, police have issued a request for drivers to slow down and be cautious when approaching the eastern end of Pages Road.
Man dies in island diving incident
January 7, 4.30pm: A man has died after a diving incident on King Island on Sunday.
Tasmania Police in a statement said crews were called to Johnson Rock at Currie, just before 11.30am after reports a diver had experienced difficulties in the water.
A 43-year-old man, who was an interstate visitor, was retrieved from the water.
His friends had attempted CPR, police say.
Unfortunately the man died at the scene.
A police spokesperson said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends,” a police spokesperson said.
Man dies in crash near highway service station
January 7: A man has died after a single vehicle crash near a southern Tasmanian petrol station.
Tasmania Police confirmed the man, aged in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash after they were called at about 4pm on Saturday, January 6.
The crash occurred at the Hove Way exit to the Midland Highway at Brighton, near the United service station.
The man was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Police earlier had to close the access road to the service station from the Midland Highway, as well as Hove Way, in response to the crash.
Investigations into bike, jewellery theft from camp site and house
January 5, 4:30pm: Two incidents where mountain bikes and jewellery were stolen have triggered reminders to secure belonging.
Police from Latrobe and Western CIB are investigating the thefts that occurred at a camp site in Port Sorell and a Shearwater residence.
Officers recovered two e-mountain bikes to the value of $12,000 from a Devonport home on Friday as part of the investigations.
Detective Acting Inspector Alex Bonde said a man was arrested before later being unconditionally released.
He confirmed investigations were ongoing.
“Police want to hear from anyone who may have knowledge of the thefts, and we are particularly interested in information about a blue Giant dual suspension mountain bike that remains outstanding,” he said.
“Anyone with information or CCTV footage of any suspicious activity in the Port Sorell or Shearwater areas overnight is asked to contact police.”
“We encourage everyone to remain vigilant in the security of their homes and belongings,” he said.
Information should be provided to Western CIB on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au. You can stay anonymous.
Man charged after alleged smashing of business precinct’s windows
Police have charged an 18-year-old man in relation to vandalism caused to a business in Burnie on Tuesday.
The damage to the Wilson St business reportedly included 40 windows, police say.
A police spokesperson said the same man had been charged with aggravated burglary, stealing and motor vehicle stealing in relation to the alleged burglary of an Ulverstone residence overnight.
The man is expected to appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court Friday afternoon.
Anyone with information about either matter is asked to contact Burnie Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
Single vehicle crash on town’s busy main street
January 5, 1.48pm: A single vehicle traffic crash on High St, Campbell Town is expected to cause delays for motorists travelling through the Northern Midlands town.
Emergency services are at the scene after it was reported about 1.40pm on Friday.
Police say no injuries have been reported at this stage.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible and to expect delays.
18 people charged after crackdown on repeat offenders
January 5, 1.25pm: A two-week police crackdown on repeat offenders in Launceston has finished with 18 people charged with more than 80 separate offences.
Taskforce Viper has targeted recidivist offenders and focused on reducing criminal activity in Launceston’s CBD.
Officers report the majority of the recent charges were related to stealing, and property offences as well as public place assaults.
Detective Acting Inspector Aleena Crack said the crackdown demonstrated a small number of people were responsible for a large volume of offences in the CBD, “and police is actively addressing those”.
She said the Launceston community deserved to feel safe and that police would continue to target repeat offenders.
“These taskforces are established when we identify an area of concern or a specific increase in crime trends,” Detective Acting Inspector Crack said.
“While we live in a very safe city, and state, there are people who continue to do the wrong thing.
“And in some instances, those increases in crime we identify are influenced by a small number of repeat offenders.”
She said they were committed to holding those offenders to account and increasing community confidence in public places.
“Police are doing everything they can to prevent recidivism and repeat offenders. They can’t do it alone though, we do need the community support,” she said
Anyone with information that may assist the taskforce should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
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