Alleged arsonist charged, Man charged after shootout with police, Serious motorbike crash

Tasmania Police have charged a man who is allegedly behind a fire that gutted a house in the state’s north early this morning. 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.

Man charged over house fire, Elizabeth Town

Wednesday, January 19

A 54-year-old alleged arsonist has been charged following a fire that destroyed a house on the Bass Highway at Elizabeth Town early this morning.

Emergency crews were called to the scene shortly before 4am to find the structure fully alight.

The alleged offender and another person were found inside the property at the time and were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation before being discharged shortly after.

The accused is expected to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.

Man charged over alleged Burnie shooting

Wednesday, January 19

Tasmania Police have charged a 25-year-old man following an alleged shootout with officers at Shorewell Park in Burnie on Sunday.

He is due to appear in a special court sitting this afternoon and has been charged with:

• 4 counts of aggravated assault
• 1 count of possess a firearm when no thte holder of a firearm licence
• 1 count of possess ammunition when not the holder of the appropriate firarm licence
• 1 count of possess shortened firearm
• 2 counts of resist a police officer
• 5 counts of recklessly discharging a firearm

Serious motorbike crash - Ravenswood

Tuesday, January 18

Police are investigating the circumstances of a serious single motorbike crash at Ravenswood on Monday night.

Crews attended reports that a motorbike crashed near Mornington Drive around 7.15pm.

The man in his 30s riding the bike was riding a black Honda CBR 1000 south on Mornington Drive towards Bendigo Street when he crashed.

He was taken to the Launceston General Hospital in a serious condition.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash and ask that anyone who saw the bike travelling in the area around the time of the crash is asked to contact them on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.

Speed believed a factor in fatal Deloraine crash

Monday, January 17

POLICE want to talk to anyone who saw a white Mazda 323 driving erratically on the Bass Highway near Deloraine as they continue to investigate a fatal crash that happened on Sunday night.

Emergency services attended the scene of the single vehicle crash about 7pm.

It occurred about 3km west of the northern Tasmanian town.

Police found the driver and sole occupant of the car, a 50-year-old man from Invermay, dead at the scene.

The Bass Highway was closed for several hours while emergency services investigated the crash.

“Speed and inattentiveness are believed to be contributing factors in the crash,” police said in a statement.

“Police are seeking witnesses to the crash, or anyone who may have seen a white Mazda 323 driving erratically on the highway near Deloraine around 7pm on Sunday night.”

Burnie man receiving surgery following police shootout

Sunday, January 16

A 25-year-old man is in a stable condition and will undergo surgery after a shootout with police in Burnie.

Tasmania Police said the man was in hospital following a stand-off at a Shorewell Park property about 8.30am on Sunday.

Western District Commander Debbie Williams said police arrived at the property amid reports of a man aggressively making threats and firing a shotgun.

She said police attempted to negotiate with the Burnie man, but he responded by firing his gun at authorities.

He was then shot in the shoulder.

“It was a very confronting incident but no police were injured,” Commander Williams said.

She said the man was known to police.

“I understand that a house did sustain some damage and that will form part of the ongoing investigation,” she said.

“Police would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding whilst we carry out our investigations.”

Western District Commander Debbie Williams. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Commander Williams said a woman sustained a facial injury, with police to also investigate how she came to be injured.

She said multiple Tasmania Police units were involved in the investigation, including recovering evidence from the “large” scene.

“It’s a very confronting scene for my members but I’m also concerned for the wellbeing (of) my members not just in the Western District but across the whole of the organisation,” Commander Williams said.

“All members involved are receiving appropriate support, counselling and other necessary arrangements to help them.”

Anyone with information who hasn’t spoken to police should call Burnie CIB on 131 444.

Anyone with information, photos, videos or other evidence can make a submission to police via the evidence portal.

Man injured in police shooting

Sunday, January 16

A man has been shot in the shoulder during a shootout with police at Shorewell Park in Burnie this morning.

Tasmania Police say were called to the property about 8:30am after a report of an armed man acting aggressively, making threats and firing a weapon.

“Attempts to negotiate with the man to disarm himself were unsuccessful and after firing at police, he was shot in the shoulder,” police said in a statement.

“The man was taken into police custody at the scene and is currently receiving medical treatment.

“The Tasmania Police Professional Standards Unit has been advised and will conduct a full investigation.”

Wounding in Burnie

Sunday, January 16

A man is in a hospital in Burnie and a youth is in custody after an incident at Ulverstone early on Sunday morning.

Police said the man received a “significant laceration to his stomach” and is in a serious but stable condition in the North-West Regional Hospital.

Officers were called to an address in Smith Street, Ulverstone just after midnight and provided first aid to the injured man until paramedics arrived.

A police spokesman said a male youth was arrested at the scene, and is in custody helping police with their inquiries.

“The incident involved two people known to each other and there was no threat to the wider community,” a police spokesman said.

Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Devonport CIB on 131 444 or report anonymously to crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Meanwhile, police have charged an 18-year-old with wounding and common assault after a man was injured at Morris Ave, Devonport on Friday.

He will appear in court next month.

Stabbing in Devonport

Friday, January 14

Police are investigating a wounding incident in Devonport on Friday.

A man at a Morris Ave address suffered multiple injuries to his upper body and leg from “a sharp item”, according to police.

He was taken to Launceston General Hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are searching the area for the offender but believe the incident is between people known to each other.

Police respond to a serious crash in North Tasmania

Thursday, January 13

A man has died and another is in a serious condition after a crash in the small north Tasmanian town of Longford yesterday afternoon.

Police and Emergency Services were called to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Wellington and High Streets about 4.45pm Thursday where a crash had occurred between a truck towing an excavator, and a motorbike.

Police said the truck was turning from Wellington Street into High Street.

The motorbike, travelling in a southerly direction, collided with the turning truck according to police.

A 39-year-old Newstead man, who was the pillion passenger on the motorbike, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 53-year-old Longford man driving the motorbike suffered serious injuries and was taken to Launceston General Hospital for treatment.

The truck driver, a 24-year-old Youngtown man, suffered no physical injuries as a result of the incident.

Investigations are continuing in relation to the crash but police said initial investigation suggested speed may be a contributing factor.

Several traffic diversions were in place after the crash

Shark spotted off South West coast

Thursday, January 13

Marine police have reported a shark sighting off Tasmania’s Southwest near Sloop Rocks.

The animal has been identified as a great white measuring around four to five metres.

Tasmania Police urged people in the area to be cautious if entering the water.

Serious mountain bike crash

Tuesday, January 11

A mountain bike rider has been seriously injured after a crash at Mount Owen on the West Coast near Queenstown.

The 44-year-old man was riding on the Waterfall Track when he crashed on a hairpin corner of the trail and came off his bike after hitting rocks.

SES volunteers and paramedics were called to the scene to assist in the rescue and the man was flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital with serious injuries.

Descending Mount Owen into Queenstown on the West Coast of Tasmania. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Senior Constable Coulson said the accident comes as a timely reminder to be prepared for emergencies when out in the wilderness.

“The incident today highlights the invaluable help our State Emergency Service and Tasmania Fire Service volunteers provide to the Tasmanian community, I’d also like the thank the members of the public who assisted rescue crews on this occasion”.

Tasmania Police urged travellers to consider downloading the free Emergency+app on their smart phone in the case that rescue crews need to find out a person’s exact location and coordinates.

House fire in Lutana

Tuesday, January 11

Fire crews from Hobart and Glenorchy were called to a Lutana property overnight to find a home “fully involved” in flames at around 9pm.

Three heavy pumpers attended the blaze on Lennox Ave and a fire watch was issued at the address overnight.

Fire investigators will return to the scene this morning to determine the cause of the house fire and its damage.

House fire on Lennox Ave, Lutana. Picture: Kenji Sato

Drug traffickers caught at Launceston Airport

Tuesday, January 11

A man and woman have been charged after they were allegedly caught trying to import $750,000 worth of meth into Tasmania via a domestic flight.

The 31-year-old man was allegedly detected in part of an ongoing investigation by Tasmania Police after disembarking a flight at 3:25pm on Sunday, January 9.

The Turners Beach resident and a 43-year-old woman accompanying him were searched at Launceston Airport where police claim they found 500g of methamphetamine.

A man and a woman have been charged after 500g of ice was seized at Launceston Airport. Picture: Tasmania Police.

A man and a woman have been charged after 500g of ice was seized at Launceston Airport. Picture: Tasmania Police.

The male offender was remanded in custody at an out of hours sitting of the Devonport Magistrates Court last night and is due to reappear via video link at 2:15pm today.

The Wesley Vale woman was also charged with trafficking and was bailed to appear in court at a later date.

Tasmania Police said further arrests are expected to be made following the incident with the seizure part of an operation targeting the importation and distribution of the drug across Tasmania.