Tasmania breaking news: 77yo man nabbed drink driving, speeding
A 77-year-old man was nabbed travelling 32km/h over the speed limit and returning a breath alcohol reading two and a half times the legal limit, police say. LATEST POLICE NEWS >>
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Man charged with drink driving, speeding
A 77-year-old man was nabbed today travelling 32km/h over the speed limit and returning a breath alcohol reading two and a half times the legal limit, police say.
Southern Road Policing Services intercepted the man driving south on the Huon Highway, Kingston, about 1.40pm on Sunday, travelling 92km/h in a 60km/h roadworks zone.
Police say the man was also charged with drink driving after returning a 0.125 breath alcohol reading.
The man will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.
Inspector Andrew Keane said drink driving and speeding places the Tasmanian community and our emergency service workers in danger.
“No one can drive safely if they are under the influence of alcohol, let alone adding speeding into the mix, and this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated,” Inspector Keane said.
If you witness drink driving, speeding or other dangerous driving behaviours, call police on 131444 or triple-zero (000) in an emergency.
Divers found after frantic air, sea search
June 10, 5.33pm (UPDATE): Two divers who drifted for four hours before being found 3.6km out to sea off Bicheno were “fit and healthy and did not panic”, police said after they were rescued by civilians.
Inspector Colin Riley praised civilians involved in the rescue on Saturday of the 24 year woman and 25-year-old man from Howrah and said he had feared the worst and “activated the coroner’s office”.
“I suppose what makes this unique is that we had such a positive outcome and these two divers were recovered floating on the surface after four hours and are fit and healthy and will go home tonight to their families,” he said.
“We ended up with a very positive outcome, not just for the two divers involved, but also the emergency services and the many, many civilian rescuers that helped in this particular job.
“Obviously they are shocked at the response and the resources being deployed.
“But it’s fair to say they did what they had to do to survive.
“They didn’t panic.”
The pair had been dropped at Alligator Rock, about 250m offshore about 10.15am on Saturday morning and when they had not returned the alarm was raised about 11am.
Insp Riley said: “What we now know is that when they entered the water at 10.15, they could only remain underwater for five minutes for a technical reason.”
As well as two helicopters and police boats about 10 civilian boats joined in the frantic search for the pair.
About 80 worried onlookers gathered at Bicheno to await news on the rescue.
One onlooker who did not want to be named said he was walking his dog and watched the drama unfold.
“They were in good spirits when they found,” he said.
“There were a lot of anxious people on the shore but the rescue was very professional and the locals were able to direct rescuers who had been looking east in the wrong area because the currents meant they were heading north.”
Alex Farrell of the Bicheno Surf Lifesaving Club also was relieved when the divers were found.
“It’s been a very well co-ordinated search by Tas Police and it’s awesome they’re ok,” he said.
“Everyone has helped. We’ve had two inflatable rescue boats and shared our resources.
“We had an emergency response co-ordinated by Surf Lifesaving Tasmania and we were very lucky we had enough responders and were there within 15 minutes of the call out.”
Bicheno is this weekend playing host to the Tasmanian Combined Dive Clubs annual get together which attracts divers from across the state as well as interstate.
The weekend is billed as one of “diving and socialising”.
Dive La Trobe in Victoria has sent a contingent and said on social media: “With stunning diving for all abilities and a great social calendar, the weekend is always a great success.”
June 10, 2.46pm (UPDATE): Two missing divers who sparked a frantic air and sea search have been found.
Police confirmed the missing divers, a 24 year old woman and a 25 year old man, both from Howrah, were found shortly after 2.30pm on Saturday, after the alarm was raised about 11am.
Alex Farrell of the Bicheno Surf Lifesaving Club was relieved when the divers were found.
“It’s been a very well co-ordinated search by Tas Police and it’s awesome they’re ok,” he said.
“Everyone has helped. We’ve had two inflatable rescue boats and shared our resources.
“We had an emergency response co-ordinated by Surf Lifesaving Tasmania and we were very lucky we had enough responders and were there within 15 minutes of the call out.”
Bicheno is this weekend playing host to the Tasmanian Combined Dive Clubs annual get together which attracts divers from across the state as well as interstate.
The weekend is billed as one of “diving, socialising and information evenings”.
Dive La Trobe in Victoria has sent a contingent and said on its Facebook site: “With stunning diving for all abilities and a great social calendar, the weekend is always a great success.”
June 10, 1.25pm: A search has begun on Tasmania’s East Coast for two missing divers.
Police and emergency services, including the Westpac rescue helicopter, are currently searching waters near Alligator Rock just off the Bicheno foreshore.
The divers were diving together in the area around 10.15 this morning and failed to return at 11am as planned, police said.
The alarm was raised just before midday.
No personal details have been provided about the divers.
Anyone with information should call police on 131444.
22yo dies after horror highway crash
June 09, 11.50am: A 22-year-old woman has died after a long fight for life in hospital following a horror highway crash in the state’s North West.
On March 28 at around 5.40pm, police and emergency services were called to a serious crash on the Frankford Highway at Frankford.
A brown Mazda sedan driven by the 22-year-old woman was travelling west when she lost control in wet conditions and collided with a Toyota ute, also driven by a single female occupant.
Both drivers were rushed to Launceston General Hospital for treatment.
The 22-year-old received critical injuries and has subsequently died overnight.
Police say their thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Police concerns sparked over missing woman’s safety
Police say they are concerned for the safety of missing Penguin woman Erin Hodge, 39, who has not been seen since May 31.
A Tasmania Police spokesperson indicated Ms Hodge may be in the Launceston area and urge anyone with information on her whereabouts to come forward.
Ms Hodge is 165cm, medium build, with blonde hair.
High range drink driver busted after crash
June 8, 12.15pm: A man who was behind the wheel over four times the legal limit and crashed through a fence has been charged with drink driving and had his licence nixed on the spot.
The man crashed into the fence around 9am on Thursday after losing control of his vehicle on Gillingbrook Road at Forcett.
Emergency services were called the scene, with police conducting a breath test.
The man returned a reading of 0.225 – four and a half times the legal blood alcohol limit – and was charged with high range drink driving.
His licence was immediately disqualified.
He was not injured in the crash and will appear in court at a later date.
House fire, Liena
June 8, 9am: Fire crews from Mole Creek and Chudleigh are in attendance at a structure fire on Old Gads Hill at Liena, where the house is fully involved.
More to come.
Powerlines down, roads blocked in separate incidents
June 8, 9am: Motorists are being asked to take an alternative route after powerlines were downed in separate incidents, one involving a truck crash.
Drivers heading to Devonport may have to rethink their route after trees fell and took out powerlines on West Nook Rd, about 3km out of Sheffield.
The road is partially blocked.
Police are on the scene and are managing traffic.
Tas Networks are expected to work to repair the fallen lines.
Tasmania Police in a statement asked road users to travel to the conditions and obey directions of workers on site.
“Take an alternate route if possible while repairs are undertaken,” the statement read.
In a separate incident earlier this morning, police attended a crash on the Bass Highway at Brittons Swamp in the vicinity of 24996.
Tasmania Police said a truck hit a tree which caused powerlines to come down across the road.
The road was blocked at the time and no further information has yet been provided.
Tas Networks have been advised.
More to come.
Two youths, 14, 16, arrested over alleged armed robberies
Updated, 10.20am: A teenager who was arrested in connection to a pair of armed robberies in a North Hobart suburb has been released without charge.
The 14-year-old – who had been taken into custody by police during investigations into two armed robberies at Moonah businesses on Wednesday night – was “unconditionally released”.
In a statement, Tasmania Police said the teenager had been released as part of their ongoing investigation.
Community members who have dashcam footage or CCTV footage of Albert Rd, Moonah from about 7.45pm on June 7 have been asked to upload the vision to investigators through their online evidence portal.
Evidence can be submitted at: https://bit.ly/3NhAFk1
June 8, 8am: Two youths have been arrested by police after an alleged armed robbery, where a storeperson was held at knifepoint, and an attempted armed robbery.
In one incident, the youths, ages 14 and 16, attempted to rob a food outlet in Albert Road.
Minutes later the pair, one of whom was allegedly carrying a knife, threatened a worker at a bottle shop and fled the store with cash.
The storeperson was not injured in the incident.
Tasmania Police say uniformed officers “saturated” the area and the alleged offenders were caught after a short foot chase ensued.
Cash was recovered after police searched the area.
They will appear in the Hobart Court’s Youth Justice Division today.
Multi-vehicle crash on Southern Outlet
Tuesday, June 6, 7pm:
Both southbound lanes of the Southern Outlet exiting Hobart are now open after an earlier ‘double crash’ caused traffic chaos.
A Department of Fire and Emergency Management spokesman said traffic congestion in the CBD was slowly reducing after the two crashes involving eight vehicles and one bus happened shortly before 5pm just before Mt Nelson.
“There were no serious injuries reported. Three ambulance units attended with one person transported to the RHH for observations and assessment,” the spokesperson said.
Police are calling for motorists who may have dashcam footage to upload it to the Tasmania Police Homepage Dangerous Driving Portal and quote Police Job Number 234-06062023.
5.05pm: Police and emergency services have rushed to a crash on The Southern Outlet involving a bus and multiple vehicles.
Both lanes are blocked before Mt Nelson.
Police say motorists should avoid the area and use alternate routes via the Channel Highway Taroona or Proctors Rd.
Injuries are not known at this stage.
Oil spill, multiple crashes: Chaos on Tassie roads
UPDATE. June 6, 1.25pm: The oil spill from earlier across the Greater Hobart region has been cleared.
Police are urging motorists to continue driving with caution as there still could be slick on the road.
June 6, 10.39am: Multiple road incidents have made for a chaotic start to Tuesday on Tassie roads, with a large oil spill and multiple crashes holding up traffic.
The oil spill occurred on the Southern Outlet about 2km from Mt Nelson, continuing through to Macquarie Street and along the Brooker Highway to the Risdon Road vicinity – and finally through to Derwent Park Road.
Police and emergency services are on scene working to clean up the spill and urge drivers to obey traffic directions. They also urge drivers not to travel unless necessary.
Shortly after 10.30am, police reported a single-vehicle crash at the Proctors Road intersection at Dynnyrne.
Separately, a car crashed into a power pole near the McDonalds eatery at Kingston, blocking the left southbound lane.
Police say no serious injuries have been reported in any of the incidents but say delays across the crash sites are to be expected.
Teen nabbed by police over alleged armed hold-up
June 6: 10.45am: A 16-year-old has been nabbed and charged by police after an alleged armed robbery of a Moonah shop.
Police will allege the teen entered the Main Road store around 5.15pm on Monday and threatened a shopkeeper with a knife before demanding money.
The teen allegedly fled the store on foot with the stolen cash.
He was found a short time later by police and charged.
He was also charged on a separate stealing and trespass matter, police say.
The teen was released on bail.
Hobart motorcycle racing event ends in serious crash
Saturday, June 3 – 1.12pm:
Two motorcycle riders have been taken to hospital with what are believed to be serious injuries after a crash at a Hobart racing event.
Police and emergency services personnel attended the crash at Baskerville Raceway at Old Beach, which happened at about 11.45am.
At the time of the crash, which occurred during an organised race event, the motorcycle had a sidecar attached.
No description of injuries sustained by the two riders have been provided, with Tasmania Police stating they are “unknown at this stage but believed to be serious”.
Woman dies after serious head-on crash
Latest:
A woman in her 20s has died after a two-vehicle head on crash at Dromedary.
The drivers were the sole occupants in both vehicles.
A man, also aged in his 20s, has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Boyer Rd was cleared and reopened after 1pm.
Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis extended her condolences to the young woman’s family and friends.
“The loss of a young life is always tragic,” she said.
And while she said there had been no official complaints made to council about the state of Boyer Rd, she said it could be “terrifying” to drive on.
“It’s terrifying to drive on Boyer Rd if a car is overtaking and coming towards you,” she said.
“You’ve got to drive to the signage and look out for animals on the road.”
Ms Dracoulis said with the construction of the new Bridgewater Bridge, she expected traffic on Boyer Rd to increase in coming months.
Updated, 11.05am: Police remain on the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Boyer Rd at Dromedary in the Derwent Valley.
The collision happened on the Norske Skog side of the road, opposite where the speedboats race on the Derwent River.
A Boyer Rd resident said the road was notorious for serious accidents and there had previously been fatalities.
“The road is narrow and windy,” the resident said.
“There are no overtaking lanes, so it can be dangerous,
“I never overtake on it.”
Initial – Saturday, June 3, 9am: Two vehicles have collided in a head-on crash on Boyer Rd.
Police as well as emergency services are on the scene of the crash, which is understood to be near the Dromedary area.
The drivers are the only occupants of either vehicle.
The extent of their injuries are not yet known, but are believed to be serious.
Boyer Rd is blocked and will remain until further notice.
More to come.
Stolen vehicle from South Burnie
Saturday, June 3, 8.45am: Tasmania Police are seeking information after a red XR6 Ford Falcon sedan was stolen from South Burnie at about 1.20am today.
The car’s registration is I59DE, however police say the plates may have been changed since it was stolen.
Police in a statement said they were requesting assistance from any member of the public who may have seen the car after that time in Burnie or other areas in the state.
Those with information are asked to contact Burnie Police Station on 131444, or anonymously on Crime Stoppers on 1800 000 333.
Quote report number 714669.
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