Four-year-old boy killed in collision with garbage truck while riding bike in Launceston

A young boy riding his bicycle in a quiet cul-de-sac in the state’s North has been killed by a garbage truck, with police calling it the “most confronting scene” they have ever seen. LIVE BREAKING NEWS HERE >>

• The former woodchip mill at Triabunna returns to nature after extensive revegetation program
• The delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine across Tasmania is expected to be a massive logistic exercise. Here’s how the rollout could be carried out

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.

SERIOUS CRASH – NEWNHAM

Navarone Farrell

A FAMILY is in mourning and a suburban street has been left shocked after a garbage truck ran over and killed a young boy.

The four-year-old boy was struck by the truck at 12.15pm on Wednesday, as it was emptying bins in Bishops Drive, Newnham, outside of Launceston.

Bishops Drive, Newnham. Picture: Channel 7 Tasmania

The young boy was riding his bicycle in the street alone, Tasmania Police Inspector Ruth Orr said.

“We are just unclear as to exactly how this tragic circumstance has happened, but the four-year-old boy has collided – or been collected – by the front of the rubbish truck and has died at the scene,” she said.

Police do not know if the child was being watched by his family at the time, however there were eye witnesses to the tragic incident.

Uncollected garbage bins. Picture: Channel 7 Tasmania

“He was definitely out riding his bike on the street, but whether there were other people doing the same thing, I don’t have that information,” Insp Orr said.

“I can only speak for myself ... this is the most confronting scene I’ve attended in 25 years.”

Insp Orr said being school holidays there were people on the street who witnessed the young boy being killed and asked for privacy for them and the family.

“I don’t have any words to describe how upset (the family) are,” she said.

Tasmania Police and Ambulance Service were first on scene, followed by crash investigators, forensics, the National Heavy Vehicle Register and WorkSafe.

Police vehicles parked on the street. Picture: Channel 7 Tasmania

“The driver of the vehicle was exceptionally shaken up and I would suggest in shock, which is understandable,” Insp Orr said.

“He’s obviously assisting us with inquiries, there’s a number of processes that we would do in these circumstances where a fatality on our roads has happened and he’s going through that process at the moment.”

Insp Orr confirmed it was only the young boy and his bicycle, and the garbage truck involved in the crash.

Police officers attending the scene. Picture: Channel 7 Tasmania

“Counselling and support has been offered to all emergency services who attended,” she said.

“Police are also liaising with the family, driver and those affected to ensure appropriate care and support is available to them.”

This brings Tasmania’s road toll to two for the year. On January 4 a 58-year-old motorcyclist was killed on Hollow Tree Rd, Bothwell.

In 2020 36 people were killed on the state’s roads – the highest amount of deaths in a decade – prompting a call from major overhauls from the RACT.

LAUNCESTON WOUNDING

A MAN is in police custody and another in hospital awaiting surgery following an alleged wounding in a Launceston suburb last night.

Police said the alleged violent incident happened in Cupania St, Rocherlea on Tuesday night.

“The wounding occurred following a physical altercation between five males in a public reserve. The victim sustained a wound to the right side of his chest and he is in a stable condition awaiting surgery at the Launceston General Hospital,” police said.

The alleged offender was arrested at the scene and he is currently in police custody.

Investigations into the matter are continuing.

Anyone with information that may assist Tasmania Police are asked to phone 131444.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

TUESDAY JANUARY 26

NUMEROUS NORTHERN STORES HIT BY ALLEGED BURGLARS

POLICE are chasing a group of burglars who raided liquor stores in Launceston in a stolen BMW early Tuesday morning.

Tasmania Police were first called to the Liquor Stax bottle shop at Riverside shortly after midnight.

They said four male offenders had forced entry to the business and stole a quantity of alcohol before leaving in a blue 2006 BMW X5 wagon.

The vehicle had been stolen from Beauty Point on Sunday night, police said.

“About half an hour later the same offenders forced entry to the 9/11 bottle shop at Newstead, again stealing a quantity of alcohol and leaving in the BMW. They then stole petrol from the nearby Coles Express petrol station on Hoblers Bridge Rd,” police said this morning.

“At about 1.30am the Kings Meadows newsagency was broken into and a quantity of cigarettes stolen. The same offenders and vehicle were involved.”

The four offenders were men wearing gloves and face coverings.

Acting Inspector Nick Clark detailed the damage and apparent motive of the alleged offenders.

“It’s quite clear that the offenders were targeting alcohol and cigarettes,” he said.

“In each occasion they used implements to either smash open or force open security doors and smash windows to gain entry to all of the businesses.

Police believe as much as several thousand dollars of “top shelf” liquor was stolen during the spree.

The stolen vehicle was found burnt out on Lilydale Rd, Underwood but the offenders are at large.

While detectives have some leads to follow, anyone who may have seen a blue BMW in the area, or has CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to contact police.

Anyone with information can contact Launceston Police on 6777 3945 or they can provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

MONDAY JANUARY 25

MULTIPLE CRASHES AFTER DOWNPOUR – 3.30PM

Police and emergency services are attending two separate single vehicle rollovers on the Huon Highway near Grove following a downpour of rain causing the road to be slippery.

The first crash occurred at 3pm just before Grove (when travelling from Hobart) in the southbound lanes.

The vehicle is off the road and a woman has received non-life threatening injuries.

The second crash occurred at 3:30pm approximately 200 metres from the first crash.

All occupants are out of the vehicle, with no life threatening injuries reported.

Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions with more rain forecast in the south this afternoon.

FIRE IN STATE’S NORTH WEST – 8.40AM

There is a bushfire burning outside the North West town of Waratah but fire authorities say there is no threat to the small community.

The fire, which started on Saturday, is burning near the ghost mining town of Luina – about 15km outside Waratah.

The TFS said motorists needed to use extreme caution as fire crews are working on Waratah Rd around Duffs Hill.

Water bombing is likely to occur to try to bring the blaze under control.

The TFS has advised people in Luina to keep up to date by listening to ABC Local Radio or look at the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au.

“Well prepared homes are defendable in these conditions,” the TFs said.

“If you are not prepared for a bushfire, think about leaving for a safe place if it gets more dangerous.

“If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, check it now.”

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24

CYCLIST SERIOUSLY INJURED

A YOUNG cyclist suffered serious head injuries after an early morning crash in the state’s South.

Tasmania Police said emergency services, including ambulance personnel, responded to a 24-year-old male who crashed his bicycle about 3am on Sunday morning at Blessington St, South Arm.

The rider, who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, sustained serious head injuries as a result of the crash.

Circumstances of the crash were under police investigation on Sunday.

Police on Sunday issued a reminder to all cyclists about the importance of wearing a correctly fitted helmet.

Anyone with information about the crash, including dashcam footage, is urged to contact police on 131444.