Man arrested after North-West rampage

Police used pepper spray to disarm a man and take him into custody after he caused public panic in a North-West rampage this morning. SEE THE CARNAGE >>

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POLICE used pepper spray to disarm and arrest a man who went on a rampage in the seaside town of Port Sorell on Thursday morning.

Police said they received a number of emergency calls about a man, carrying a knife, who was seen driving erratically in the Narawntapu National Park, near Port Sorell, about 9.45am.

The man destroyed his vehicle, a grey Hummer H3, in the rampage, and also took out the front of another white sedan and damaged another vehicle.

A man has been arrested after a rampage which destroyed the two cars in Port Sorell.

A man has been arrested after a rampage which destroyed the two cars in Port Sorell.

A man has been arrested after a rampage which destroyed the two cars in Port Sorell.

A man has been arrested after a rampage which destroyed the two cars in Port Sorell.

Inspector Steve Jones said police and family held serious concerns for the man’s welfare.

“The man allegedly drove through Port Sorell, hitting multiple vehicles before crashing at the

intersection of Wilmot and Griffiths streets,” Inspector Jones said.

No members of the public were injured during the incident, however two members of the public bravely came to the aid of two other people after their vehicle was crashed into by the vehicle driven by the man.

“The man was quickly disarmed by police officers with the deployment of OC spray and safely taken into custody a short time later.”

The man received minor injuries in the incident and was transported to the North-West

Regional Hospital for medical assessment.

Inspector Jones thanked the Port Sorell community for their assistance in providing information leading to his arrest.

“This was a traumatic incident for everyone involved, and I’d like to thank the community as well as other members of the public for their understanding and help in safely resolving the situation,” he said.

The scene is now clear and investigations are continuing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or the vehicle who hasn’t already spoken to police should contact police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.