Tasmania breaking news: 26-year-old Ross man dead after horror car crash on East Derwent Hwy, Lindisfarne

Police say they did not initiate pursuit of a 26yo male driver travelling at “high speed” moments before he was killed in a crash. LATEST >

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26yo killed in fiery car crash

UPDATE, May 26, 11am: Police say they did not initiate pursuit of a 26yo male driver travelling at “high speed” moments before he was killed in a crash.

The Ross man was killed on Thursday shortly after 9.30pm when his silver Holden Barina collided with a white Toyota van outside a BP service station on the East Derwent Highway at Lindisfarne.

The 26-year-old died at the scene after the Barina reportedly caught fire.

The female driver of the van received non-life threatening injuries.

The scene of the fatal crash at Lindisfarne. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

It comes as Tasmania Police’s Southern District Commander Jason Elmer has asked witnesses to come forward.

“We are calling for anyone who saw a silver Holden Barina travelling between Ross and Hobart, possibly on the Midland Highway, between 8:30pm and 9.30pm last night to contact us,” he said.

“We’re particularly looking for dashcam or other footage of the vehicle, which people can upload to our evidence portal.

“Patrolling police reportedly observed the vehicle travelling at high speed along the highway just before the crash but did not initiate a pursuit.

“The police unit continued in the same direction as the speeding vehicle and came across the crash scene a short time later, providing initial first aid alongside other witnesses until paramedics arrived.”

In a separate crash, a high-range drink driver crashed into an ambulance at the scene.

A 25-year-old man was charged with high range drink driving after he crashed into the stationary ambulance. No one was injured in that crash.

The Risdon Vale man returned a reading of 0.207 and was immediately disqualified from driving for two years.

He will appear in court at a later date.

Inspector Andrew Keane said the man had placed themselves, the Tasmanian community, and emergency services workers in danger during their response to the fatal crash.

“It is very lucky that no-one was injured,” Insp Keane said.

“No one can drive safely if they are under the influence of alcohol, and this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated,” he said.

“If you’ve been drinking, please don’t drive.”

In relation to the fatal crash, Commander Elmer said it was “normal practice” for police in close proximity to a crash to have Professional Standards investigators attend the scene.

Professional Standards are reviewing the matter.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.

Anyone with information about the crash, or the driving of the Holden Barina beforehand, is asked contact police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD363-25052023.

Dashcam footage can be uploaded to the online portal here.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperstas.com.au.

May 26: A MAN in his 20s has died after a fiery car crash on Hobart’s Eastern Shore.

Shortly after 9.30pm on Thursday, a silver Holden Barina and a white Toyota van collided on the East Derwent Highway outside a BP service station at Lindisfarne, with one vehicle bursting into flames.

Police and emergency services including Intensive Care Paramedics (ICPs) were at the scene by 9.40pm.

The 26-year-old male driver of the Barina - from Ross - sadly died at the scene.

The female driver of the van received non-life threatening injuries.

Traffic was diverted for several hours and police are seeking witnesses to the accident and also want to hear from anyone who has dash cam footage of the crash.

“Our thoughts are with the person’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.” A spokesperson said.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Tasmania’s road toll for 2023 stands at 13.

27 people died on state roads last year.

Serious crashes are up 14 per cent this year, according to statistics from Tasmania’s Road Safety Advisory Council.

Police identify young man found dead on Tasmanian beach

4pm Monday, May 22: Police have identified the man who was located deceased at Tranmere yesterday afternoon as a Tasmanian resident aged in his 20s.

“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” a police spokesperson said.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.”

Sunday, May 21:

POLICE are trying to ascertain the identity of a man whose body washed up on a Tasmanian beach on Sunday afternoon.

The man, who police believe is of “Sri Lankan or similar appearance and aged between 18-25” was found by members of the public walking along the Tranmere Point foreshore at around 1.40pm on Sunday.

Tasmania Police have launched an investigation, but are yet to identify the man.

The man was wearing black trainers with white soles, black jeans, a dark green t-shirt with a pink and blue rodeo emblem on the front, and a black puffer jacket, police say.

He was not carrying any form of identification.

Police believe during initial investigations there was nothing to indicate foul play.

Due to the inaccessible area the man was located, police believe he may have fallen into the water at another location.

Anyone who has information that could assist police are asked to call 131 444.

Reference: ESCAD 168-21052023.

Man accused of setting fire to daycare bus

May 20: A man has been charged and stands accused of breaking into a kindergarten bus, stealing its contents and setting it on fire.

Police will allege on May 3, a 33-year-old Bridgewater man entered the Discovery Early Learning Centre site at Green Point near Bridgewater and broke into a kindergarten transport van.

They will then allege he stole items from the vehicle and returned a short time later to set the van on fire, destroying it.

Bridgewater Police say the van and its contents are worth over $100,000.

The 33-year-old was arrested on Friday and has been charged with burglary, stealing and unlawfully setting fire to property.

He remains in custody and is due to appear in after hours court later today.

Frankford single vehicle crash

3.20pm Tuesday, May 16: Police are responding to a single vehicle crash on Frankford Rd, west of Frankford.

Traffic is currently reduced to one lane and motorists are asked to slow down and drive with caution, and to obey any directions from emergency responders on scene.

At this stage no serious injuries have been reported.

Traffic crash: Hobart CBD

3.14pm Tuesday, May 16: Police and emergency services are on the scene of a traffic crash involving a pedestrian on the corner of Argyle and Liverpool Streets, Hobart.

Argyle Street is reduced to one lane from Liverpool Street, and Liverpool Street between Campbell and Argyle Street is closed.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area while the scene is cleared.

Bandit in motorcycle gear robs Sandy Bay servo

2pm Tuesday, May 16: Police are calling for witnesses and dashcam footage after a Sandy Bay service station was burgled in the early hours Monday morning.

Tasmania Police say initial investigations indicate a person in motorcycle gear first entered the business on Sandy Bay Road about 2:50am, before returning an hour later and stealing a significant quantity of cigarettes and cash.

“The suspect left the scene on a dark coloured motorcycle, and detectives are seeking information from anyone with information about the incident, or the whereabouts of the stolen property.,” a police spokesperson said.

Hobart CIB is also seeking relevant dashcam footage from anyone who was driving nearby at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hobart CIB on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au and quote OR713195. You can stay anonymous.

The business was closed at the time.

Highway crash in peak-hour traffic on East Derwent Highway, Bridgewater

Monday, May 15: Police and emergency services rushed to the scene of a crash which has held up peak-hour morning traffic after oil and debris spilled all over the road.

The crash happened on the East Derwent Highway at Bridgewater between the Midlands Highway and the roundabout at KFC Bridgewater shortly after 9am on Monday.

One lane of the bridge from Bridgewater to Glenorchy was blocked.

No serious injuries werereported.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area while the scene is cleared.