Emergency services respond to serious two-vehicle crash at Carrick

Police are still trying to work out what caused a driver to cross onto the wrong side of the Bass Highway in the moments before a horror head-on collision which killed three men instantly.

A BABY and a young child were the only survivors of a horror two-car crash that killed their father and two other men west of Launceston yesterday morning.

Police Commander Brett Smith described the deadly head-on collision as an “absolute tragedy”.

The nine-month-old and four-year-old were properly restrained in the back seat of the family’s Toyota Prado when their dad is believed to have crossed on to the wrong side of the Bass Highway at Carrick about 5.35am.

The children suffered “serious but non life-threatening” injuries. Picture: BRUCE MOUNSTER

Police are still investigating, but said it appeared the 33-year-old was heading towards Launceston when he crossed into the path of a silver Mazda BT50 ute heading towards Deloraine.

The Selbourne father was not wearing a seatbelt at the time and was killed on impact.

Emergency services remained at the scene, between Oaks Road and Illawarra Road, for seven hours. Picture: BRUCE MOUNSTER

Two Launceston men travelling in the ute also died at the scene. They were aged 63 and 65.

Commander Smith thanked the witnesses who stopped to help before emergency services arrived.

He said the two children were taken to the Launceston General Hospital with “serious but non life-threatening” injuries.

“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those involved in the crash,” Commander Smith said.

“Fatal crashes at any particular point in time, irrespective of who’s involved, have devastating consequences for the community.”

Police said initial investigations indicated the Prado driver crossed onto the wrong side of the road and into the path of the Mazda. Picture: BRUCE MOUNSTER

Commander Smith said crash investigation services were yet to determine what caused the man to cross onto the wrong side of the road for a “very short space of time”.

“I think it’s very, very risky to start drawing conclusions from what we have at the moment. This is just an all-round tragedy,” he said.

“Initial investigations indicate speed is not considered to be a factor in the crash, and drug and alcohol test results are pending.”

The highway was closed in both directions for seven hours, while motorists were diverted on to Meander Valley Rd to travel between Hagley and Launceston.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who saw the vehicles beforehand should contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.