Tasmania breaking news: Three-vehicle crash on Macquarie Street, Hobart

Lengthy traffic delays are expected after a three-vehicle collision has shut down all but one lane on one of Hobart CBD’s busiest roads. LATEST >

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.

Three-car pile up causes CBD traffic mayhem

Update. May 24, 10.02am: The crash scene is now clear, with normal traffic conditions resuming.

May 24, 9.35am: Lengthy traffic delays are expected after a three-vehicle collision has shut down all but one lane on one of Hobart CBD’s busiest roads.

The crash happened on Macquarie Street near Murray Street intersection shortly after 9.30am, with police and emergency services rushing to the scene.

No injuries have been reported at this stage.

Significant delays are expected and traffic is down to one lane.

More to come.

Motorcyclist in CBD crash

May 23, 3.20pm: Police and emergency services have rushed to the scene of a crash in Hobart’s CBD after a motorbike collided with a car.

The crash happened on Elizabeth St, near Warwick St, Hobart, shortly after 3pm.

Motorists are asked to expect delays and avoid the area.

No serious injuries have been reported at this stage.

More to come.

Alleged child sex abuser back in state to face historic charges

May 12: A 72-year-old Tasmanian man arrested at a home in an outer Melbourne suburb has been extradited back to his home state to face alleged historic child sex offences.

He was found at a Langwarrin address and taken into custody by a specialised taskforce from the Victorian Sexual Offences and Child-Abuse Investigation Team on Wednesday.

He was brought back into Tasmania on Friday morning by officers from Bellerive Criminal Investigation Branch and charged with one count of persistent sexual abuse of a child or and three counts of indecent assault.

He will remain in custody until his appearance in Hobart Magistrates Court later on Friday.

Second youth charged over alleged Clarendon Vale wounding

May 12: A second 14-year-old has been arrested and charged over the alleged wounding of two teens at Clarendon Vale last week.

In a statement, Tasmania Police said the two victims were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The 14-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of wounding and an unrelated motor vehicle stealing.

His alleged co-offender, another 14-year-old, has already been charged over the May 4 incident.

The pair will appear in court at a later date.

Six times over: Woman’s wild high range reading

May 12: A Kingston woman has been charged after being caught driving while six times over the legal limit.

Tasmanian Police received reports a white Toyota Corolla was dangerously driving.

Patrols shortly located the vehicle on Davey St.

A 49-year-old woman returned an alcohol reading of 0.301, six times over the legal limit.

The woman was charged with high range drink driving and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

The woman was bailed and is due to appear in court on June 28.

Tasmania Police Acting Inspector Rick Newman said the woman was “putting themselves and

other drivers and members of the community at risk”.

He said he was “disappointed people continue to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.”

“We ask drivers to reconsider their need to drive after drinking. We all have a part to play in keeping everyone safe on our roads, not just police,” Insp Newman said.

“As always, police need the community’s support and we would like to thank the person who contacted us and reported this instance of dangerous driving.”

Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving is asked to call police on the first instance on 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

Man dead in horror head-on ute smash

May 12: AN ULVERSTONE man has died after a horror head-on car crash in the state’s North West.

Police and emergency services rushed to the scene of a three-vehicle crash on the Bass Hwy at Ulverstone, near Camp Clayton at 8pm on Thursday.

Tasmania Police say a Mazda BT50 ute and a silver Holden Commodore ute collided head on in the Devonport-bound lanes.

A blue Mazda 3 sedan then collided with debris which had scattered from the two vehicles in the high-impact crash.

The driver of the Holden Commodore ute was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police, including the forensic crash unit, are still on scene conducting investigations.

Ambulance Tasmania, Tasmania Fire Service and the State Emergency Service (SES) were at the scene.

Police say a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Bass Highway traffic is currently being diverted along Westella Drive.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any dash cam footage of the incident are urged to call police on 131444.

‘Fire burst out of the kitchen window’, neighbour says of blaze

May 10: A witness to an horrific house fire in an outer Launceston suburb says he had just come home from work via the shops when he heard a woman shouting, “My house is on fire”.

Emergency services were called to the fire on Magnet St at Waverley just after 4.30pm.

The fire has been brought under control.

Magnet St resident Cohen James told the Mercury he had arrived home from work via the shops when, at about 4.33pm, he heard a woman shouting, “If you can hear me, please call triple-0 because my house is on fire”.

Mr James said he “ran over to try and see who was in there and try and get them out,” but before he could, a woman, “pretty hysterical”, came out of the residence with a child and two dogs in tow.

He said a resident of a house adjacent to the fire armed himself with a garden hose for “about 10 minutes” to try and control the flames, as the “fire burst out of what I presumed was the kitchen window”.

Mr James said Tasmania Fire Service crews were on-site by about 4.50pm and he was impressed with their quick response and professionalism.

No update on the condition of the residents was immediately available, although they are understood to have been relatively unharmed.

Wednesday, 4:54pm: Firefighters are working to extinguish a blaze at a home in the Launceston suburb of Waverley after multiple calls were made to triple-0 late this afternoon.

Crews were called to the scene at Magnet Street after 4:30pm, arriving to find the home “fully involved”.

Authorities are working to bring the fire under control.

14-year-old charged with wounding two teenagers

Wednesday, 12.30pm: A 14-year-old has been arrested and charged with wounding of two teenagers during an alleged incident at Clarendon Vale on the evening of Thursday, May 4.

Both victims were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Tasmania Police said in a statement.

On Tuesday, police searched a property in southern Tasmania and arrested the youth.

He was charged with two counts of wounding and bailed to appear in court at a later date.

Investigators still are seeking to speak with another youth in relation to the matter.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact Bellerive CIB on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au. You can stay anonymous.

Man charged after drugs, weapons found at Spreyton business

Latest. May 9 – 5.25pm:

A 41-year-old man who was taken into custody after a planned police operation at an automotive business at Spreyton has been charged.

Tasmania Police on Tuesday afternoon charged the man with aggravated assault, several firearms and drug related offences.

During the search of the property at Kelcey Teir Rd which began on Monday morning, police seized a number of illegal items including methylamphetamine, prescription medication and cannabis.

A second property was also searched during the two-day operation.

An imitation firearm, gel blaster, taser, ammunition and stolen property were also found.

The man was bailed to appear before the Devonport Magistrates Court on June 26.

Earlier. May 9: A large number of drugs and stolen property have been seized in a police raid in the state’s North West as authorities conduct day two of their investigations.

The raid was carried out on Monday by Tasmania Police on an automotive business at Spreyton on Kelcey Tier Road.

That site operates as the place of business for Deano’s Hilux Distributors.

It comes as a 41-year-old man has been arrested and remains in custody, pending interviews with police on Tuesday.

Tasmania Police Inspector Kim Steven said the “planned investigation” was in its second day, and revealed items seized in the raid included “a number of drugs and stolen property”.

“Police and partner agencies utilised a number of specialist resources yesterday to conduct a search at the property,” Insp Steven said.

“This investigation is ongoing and a search at a separate property is being conducted today.”

Police say the man in custody will also be interviewed about several matters including an aggravated assault and drug related offences.

No charges have been laid.

“Police are committed to targeting crime in our community and charging offenders,” Insp Steven said.

More to come.

Automotive business at heart of extensive police operation

Updated May 8: A “planned police operation” at an industrial area in Spreyton is likely to run until tomorrow.

Tasmania police including specialist resources remain at the site, which The Mercury can reveal to be 11 Kelcey Tier Rd.

The site operates as the place of business for Deano’s Hilux Distributors.

Tasmania Police in a statement said a search of the site is anticipated to continue until tomorrow.

A 41-year-old man who was arrested at the scene this morning remains in custody.

No charges have yet been laid.

“There is no threat to the wider community,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.

Ambush: Police descend in state’s North-West for planned operation

Initial – Monday, May 8, 8am: A man is in custody following a planned police operation in Spreyton on Monday morning.

Tasmania Police released a statement to media at 7.40am.

“A large number of police including specialist police resources are currently on the scene at an industrial area in Kelcey Tier Rd,” it said.

“There is no threat to the wider community.

“More information will be provided when appropriate.”

Burglaries at Blackmans Bay

Monday May 8 – 1.40pm:

Police are investigating after multiple car and home burglaries were reported in Blackmans Bay at the weekend.

In a three-day period from May 5 to 8, a “number of houses” and vehicles were broken into, a Tasmania Police statement said.

The areas included Timbertop Drive, Honeysuckle Drive, Diamond Drive and Ash Drive.

“Property stolen includes money, wallets, and handbags, tools, keys, laptops and jewellery,” a statement said.

Police are seeking information from the public who saw anything suspicious or may have CCTV footage from the areas on those days.

Information can be provided to Kingston CIB on 131 444 or anonymously on Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Search for missing teen enters second week

Monday, May 8, 11am: Police are renewing their request for public information to help locate Burnie teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell who has been missing from Launceston since April 30.

“Police continue to hold concerns for the welfare of 14-year-old Shyanne-Lee Tatnell who has now been missing from Launceston for a week,” said Inspector Craig Fox.

“Police investigations are ongoing, and a number of searches have been conducted over the weekend to locate Shyanne-Lee.

“Friends and family remain unable to contact Shyanne-Lee which is out of character for her.

“I urge anyone with information that would assist police to locate Shyanne-Lee to contact us on 131 444 – you can remain anonymous.”

Shyanne-Lee was last seen in the vicinity of Henry Street, Launceston, near the North Esk River, about 8.30pm on Sunday, April 30.

She is described as being approximately 160cm tall, slim build with blonde hair. At the time she was last seen, she was wearing a cream coloured hooded jumper with dark coloured writing on the chest and shoulder area. She was also wearing bike shorts.

Tasmania Police will provide a further update at 3pm.

Serious accident at Cooee

Updated – 9.35am:

Police are investigating a serious crash outside of a Tasmanian hospital in which a pedestrian was struck and left with serious injuries.

The crash occurred outside the North West Regional Hospital in Cooee at about 6.25am this morning.

A 60-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and sustained serious injuries.

Tasmania Police in a statement said the driver of the vehicle was assisting police but was not injured.

Initial – Monday May 8, 8am: Police and emergency services are currently in attendance at a serious motor vehicle accident which has occurred this morning outside the North West Regional Hospital in Cooee.

Initial reports are that one person is seriously injured, Tasmania Police said in a statement.

“Members of the public are asked to avoid the Brickport Rd entrance to the hospital while the incident is ongoing.”