Tasmania breaking news: Tasmanian senior police sergeant victim of truck-pedestrian accident in Launceston

Tasmania Police has revealed that the victim of Tuesday morning’s truck-pedestrian accident was a well-respected senior sergeant who was on-duty at the time, although not in uniform. LATEST >

Tasmania Police. Picture: Supplied.

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.

Police Snr Sgt revealed as victim of truck-pedestrian accident

May 2, 3.30pm: Tasmania Police has revealed that the victim of Tuesday morning’s truck-pedestrian accident was a well-respected senior sergeant who was on-duty at the time, although not in uniform.

About 10.10am, emergency services responded to reports of a male pedestrian struck by a truck near the intersection of Paterson and St John St in Launceston.

The man was transported to the Launceston General Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

It’s understood the vehicle, a garbage truck operated by Veolia Environmental Services, was turning right from Paterson St onto St John St when the accident occurred.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Northern District Commander Kate Chambers revealed that the pedestrian, who suffered a number of pelvic fractures among his injuries, was a “highly regarded and well-respected” senior sergeant.

“He’s been with us for a very long period of time and has worked in many areas of our agency,” she said.

The officer was on-duty but in plain clothes at the time of the accident.

Commander Chambers said she had been up to see the officer at the LGH and he was “grateful for my visit and the best wishes of the community”.

She said she had also reached out to first responders, who counted the officer as a friend and colleague.

“(There is) the best wellbeing support being wrapped around those officers,” Commander Chambers.

The scene would leave a “significant impact” on them, she said.

The truck driver “stopped at the scene and has been assisting police,” Commander Chambers said.

No charges have been laid.

The intersection was impacted for nearly four hours as forensic services and crash investigators detailed the scene, including by the use of a drone.

Investigations into the accident continue.

Pedestrian hit by car near bustling intersection

May 2 (Updated 2.10pm): A pedestrian has been rushed to hospital after they were hit by a truck near one of Launceston’s busiest intersections.

Shortly after 10.15am on Tuesday, The pedestrian was hit near the intersection of Paterson and St John Streets.

Emergency personnel on the scene after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle at Launceston on Tuesday. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

The pedestrian received medical treatment at the scene and was taken to Launceston General Hospital.

A Launceston resident who witnessed the scene told a Mercury reporter “it doesn’t look good”.

Pedestrian hit by a vehicle on corner of Paterson Street and St John Street Launceston. Picture: Patrick Gee

It was initially believed to be a car that hit the pedestrian, but Tasmania Police confirmed it was a truck.

Bystanders at the scene believe it was a dump truck.

Police initially advised motorsists the areas between Paterson Street and the Brisbane Street Mall would be closed for 30 minutes, however, the full crash scene and roads were officially cleared at 2.10pm - four hours after the incident.

More to come.

Multiple crews battle “fully involved” house fire in state’s north

Saturday, April 29, 2.30PM: Multiple crews are battling a house fire in Tasmania’s north.

A Tasmania Fire Service spokeswoman said crews from Beaconsfield, Kelso and Gravelly Beach were called to a house on Weld St at Beaconsfield just after 2pm.

The house was “fully involved” when crews arrived.

It is not yet known whether the house was occupied when the fire broke out, nor what was its cause.

The spokeswoman said that crews were “actively fighting” the fire and they were expected to be on-scene for a “little while” yet.

House fire ends in $250k damage

Saturday, April 29: A fire that tore through a Lenah Valley home has caused an estimated $250,000 in damage to the structure.

Tasmania Fire Service crews from Hobart and Glenorchy were called to the house fire on Augusta Rd, Lenah Valley on Saturday morning.

Crews saw smoke coming from the house and found a fire in the rear of the house that had extended into the roof space.

Tasmania Police also attended the scene.

And while the fire was quickly extinguished, it caused damages estimated to be in the range of $250k.

Car collides with cow

Tasmania Police are urging motorists to drive with caution along the Channel Highway at Lower Snug after a car crashed into a cow.

The bovine bingle happened early on Thursday morning about 6am, with the driver heading south toward Kettering.

The drive received non-life threatening injuries and police say the cow “is still at large” in the area.

More to come.

People ‘assisting’ escaped teen: Police

April 26: Police believe people may be assisting a teenage boy who escaped security guards while wearing handcuffs, as the search for the teen enters its third day.

The 17-year-old boy ran from a marked security vehicle at Timsbury Rd and Howard Rd, Glenorchy, at about 8.35pm on Sunday.

At the time of his escape, the boy’s wrists had been cuffed in the front of his body.

He was wearing a grey hooded jumper and black trousers.

Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby said police suspected people were assisting the teenager.

“We believe there are people assisting the youth and anyone we find in those circumstances will risk facing prosecution for harbouring a person unlawfully at large,” Detective Inspector Morrisby said.

The teenager is not believed to be a threat to the community.

People with information on the youth or his whereabouts are asked to contact police on 131 444.

Drug bust nabs former bikie gang member

A north west man police claim is a former member of an outlaw bikie gang has been arrested and charged with serious drug offences following a search at his property.

A search warrant was executed at the 44-year-old’s Spreyton property on Monday.

“As a result of the search a significant quantity of cannabis, both plants and dried, was located and seized,” Tasmania Police said

“The man, a former member of an outlaw motorcycle gang, was arrested at the property and charged with serious drug offences including trafficking in controlled substance.”

He will appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.

Foggy conditions cause crash

Updated, 12.30pm:

Tasmania Police are investigating a stolen car crash in which two occupants left the scene.

Emergency services were called to the crash at about 7.40am, after the red 2001 Ford Falcon hit a tree off Meander Valley Rd.

The two occupants left the scene before authorities arrived a few minutes later.

A short time earlier, the Ford Falcon was reported as stolen from Summerhill.

Police are seeking dashcam or other footage from any witnesses.

Those with information on the crash can contact Launceston Police on 131 444 or upload footage through: https://bit.ly/3oFSDmq

Initial: Police are urging motorists to drive to the conditions after an early morning fog resulted in a crash in the state’s north.

Shortly after 8am on Wednesday, emergency services and police rushed to the scene of a crash on the Meander Valley Rd at Hadspen near Entally House.

A thick fog has blanketed the region, and police say it has reduced visibility in the area.

Police ask motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions.

The crash scene was cleared after 30 minutes.