Tasmania breaking news: Police close section of William St, Devonport while crews work to extinguish fire
Police have closed a section of a road while crews work to extinguish a blaze opposite a sports oval in the state’s North-West. The latest.
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Emergency services on the scene of structure fire
May 2, updated 4.15pm: Firefighters continue to contain a house fire at William St, Devonport.
A TFS spokesperson said crews arrive to find the house fully alight.
Crews from Devonport and Latrobe are working to extinguish the blaze.
Earlier 3.30pm:
Emergency services are responding to a structure fire opposite a sports oval on William St, Devonport.
Police reported a section of the road is closed while Tasmania Fire Service responds to the incident.
The blaze was reported at about 3.15pm on Thursday.
Search for 45-year-old woman at Sisters Beach continues
May 2, 9.30am:
The search for 45-year-old Nicole Barrenger is continuing in the Sisters Beach area.
Police say Nicole’s vehicle was found at Sisters Beach boat ramp yesterday and they hold concerns for her welfare.
An extensive search is being conducted by air and land including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a contingent of approximately 25 personnel from police search and rescue, police dive squad, Tasmania State Emergency Service and Surf Life Saving Tasmania.
Search efforts begun last night.
Nicole has been described as being of stocky build with shoulder length red hair.
Anyone who has seen her is asked to contact police on 131 444.
Devonport men face grievous bodily harm related charge
May 1, 3:20pm
Two Devonport men, aged 30 and 22, have been charged over an alleged assault which left another man in a serious condition.
Police say an incident involving the three men took place on April 14, where the men were involved in a verbal confrontation.
It’s alleged the situation escalated and to an assault, leaving the victim with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.
Police have since charged the 30-year-old and 22-year-old with acts intended to cause GBH and aggravated robbery.
Police investigate after Hobart school’s play equipment torched
1.25pm: A Hobart primary school’s new play equipment has been extensively damaged overnight.
Tasmania Police say investigations are underway into reports the playground at Campbell Street Primary School was deliberately damaged by fire this morning.
Tasmania Fire Service responded to the reports around 1.30am and extinguished a fire within the playground equipment.
In a message sent to parents, seen by The Mercury, the school said the fire destroyed one of the big blue shade cloths and damaged significant sections of play area.
The school said the area was now safely fenced off and a timeline for repair works was unknown at this stage.
“The situation is obviously highly distressing for everyone in our school community,” the school said.
Police officer arrested over alleged family violence matters
May 1, 9.30am: A police officer has reportedly been arrested in relation to an ongoing investigation into alleged family violence matters, Tasmania Police say.
A Tasmania Police spokesperson said the Southern District officer would appear in court this morning in relation to an alleged family violence order and a restraining order involving another police officer.
They confirmed the officer had been stood down pending the court process.
Road remains closed after semi-trailer smashes into train
Update 2pm: Cleaning up the aftermath of a collision between a semi-trailer truck and train in the state’s north is expected to take days.
The incident occurred on Marriott St, Westbury on Monday afternoon about 4.40pm at a passive level crossing.
Police investigators remained at the scene on Tuesday and say the stretch of road between Lyttleton St and Meander Valley Road could be closed well into Wednesday.
Addressing media on Tuesday, Inspector Michael Johnston said the driver was “lucky that he wasn’t seriously injured”.
He said Tasmania Police had a message for motorists – that motor vehicles and trains are “deadly when they’re not used properly”.
“Police investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of a crash involving a semitruck with trailer and a locomotive train yesterday afternoon,” Inspector Johnston said.
“At this stage of our initial investigations we believe inattention to be a contributing factor.
“Less than a week out from the start of National Road Safety Week I urge all motorists to give the road their full attention every time they get behind the wheel.”
He reminded motorists of the fatal five: obey the speed limit, pay attention, rest if you’re tired, buckle up every person in the vehicle and never drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Earlier, 10.20am: A crane arrived to the scene of the Westbury train incident about 10.20am.
It is believed it will assist with assessing the condition of the struck train
In a statement issued on Monday evening, TasRail chief executive Steven Dietrich confirmed the incident occurred at Marriot St at a passive level crossing.
“Fortunately, both drivers were physically uninjured in the incident,” Mr Dietrich said.
He said recovery operations and infrastructure repair would commence.
It’s understood TasRail are working with affected freight customers and all other lines and services will continue to operate.
April 30, 9.40am: Access to a section of a Westbury street remains blocked after a semitruck and trailer collided with a train.
The incident on Marriott St occurred at about 4.40pm on Monday, police say.
Officers confirmed those involved in the incident avoided injuries from the crash.
The section of street between Lyttleton St and Meander Valley Rd will remain shut until further notice.
Police said Tas Rail is conducting further investigations into the crash.
Reportedly the crash caused extensive damages to the truck, trailer and engine carriage of the train.
In a statement late last night, officers said investigations indicated inattention to be a contributing factor to the crash.
Rescue mission successful after medical emergency
11.15am: An experienced and well-prepared bushwalking group came unstuck when one of their party suffered a medical emergency while descending Frenchmans Cap.
The group activated their EPIRB just before midday on Saturday with the Westpac rescue helicopter dispatched shortly afterwards.
Police said the chopper managed to land at Tahune Hut in deteriorating weather conditions in the early afternoon.
Officers said the injured walker was assessed by an on-board paramedic and crew.
With weather worsening, the helicopter, crew and injured walker were forced to remain overnight at Tahune Hut, officers said.
With changing conditions, police said the helicopter was able to transport the injured walker to waiting medical staff in Hobart for treatment.
“Tasmania Police would like to praise the behaviour and preparedness of the
involved walking party and would like to remind walkers of the importance of
being well prepared for changing weather conditions and emergencies when
undertaking bushwalking activities within Tasmania, carrying a registered and
working EPIRB (PLB) and keeping emergency contacts up to date with your
planned itinerary,” a police spokesperson said.
Reports man threatened with firearm after dog kicked
April 28, 9.15am: Police believe those involved in an alleged aggravated assault in Launceston last night are also connected to a series of dangerous driving incidents.
Officers said they responded to reports of a man being threatened with what is believed to be a firearm at St Leonards picnic car park around 3.55pm yesterday.
It’s believed the threat was made following an altercation with another man after the offender kicked his dog.
Police said the offender left the scene in a blue Commodore registration L28JW and another vehicle — a white Holden Rodeo dual cab with a silver tray — also left the scene at the same time.
Police are searching for the men involved.
The man who drove the Commodore has been described as around 180cm, of skinny build with brown hair average length, wearing a white bandana, dark colour clothing and white sport shoes.
The driver of the Holden Rodeo is described as being 177cm tall, of heavy build, longer straggly hair wearing dark shorts and t-shirt.
Police said initial investigations suggested the blue Commodore was then involved in an evade incident on the East Tamar Hwy at Dilston, and dangerous driving on Ravenswood Rd, Ravenswood.
Officers also reported the blue Commodore was later found burnt out on the Tasman Hwy, Waverly about 6pm.
Police said they were following a specific line of inquiry in relation to the incident.
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