Four motorists were rushed to hospital after an SUV collided with a campervan in the state’s north, closing a highway for four hours. LATEST >>
About 11.30am, Tasmania Police say a white Suzuki Vitara travelling in an easterly direction on the Bass Highway collided with a Mercedes Benz campervan travelling west.
Police say the two occupants of the campervan and the front seat passenger of the SUV were treated for minor injuries, released from hospital following assessment.
The driver of the Vitara received serious head and leg injuries and was undergoing surgery and further assessment at the Launceston General Hospital as of Friday evening.
Police diverted traffic via Meander Valley Road while the scene was cleared.
The cause of the crash will be the subject of a police investigation.
June 23, 3.20pm: A crash on Hobart’s Eastern Shore has caused major traffic headaches for Friday afternoon school pick-up.
Police and emergency services rushed to the scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Clarence and Wentworth streets at Bellerive.
Police say they have not received reports of any serious injuries, but say the road is currently blocked.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible until the scene is clear.
More to come.
Cops ramp up crackdown on hoons
June 23, 11.15am: Cops are escalating a crackdown on hoons on Hobart’s Eastern Shore, saying they will seize more vehicles and nab offenders.
The hoon hunt comes as two drivers caught pulling burnouts at Pontville last Saturday faced enforcement action. One driver had his car seized indefinitely – the other had his wheels clamped for three months.
Police Inspector Marco Ghedini said the blitz on hooning behaviour would continue with gusto.
“Recent messaging with respect to hooning has been clear – police will investigate every reported incident and we ask the community to continue to provide information to police so offending drivers or riders can be identified,” he said.
“Recent community support resulted in the seizure of two hooning vehicles in Pontville from last weekend, and those drivers will be brought before the court.
“Police are adopting a number of strategies including the use of different technologies within Bridgewater, to detect and prevent hooning and unlawful trail bike riding.
“On Wednesday, these strategies resulted in the further seizure of a trail bike from a private premises and a 16-year-old youth will subsequently be proceeded against for traffic offences. “This person was, at the time of offending, unaware they were being monitored by police. This was a deliberate and effective strategy which resulted in the trail bike being seized and the youth rider identified.”
Our community can be assured that in addition to high visibility patrols, local police will continue to actively target this type of offending to keep our road users safe.
Anyone who has witnessed hooning is encouraged to report to police on 131 444 or through Crime Stoppers Tasmania. Information can be provided anonymously.
Bass Hwy blocked after car, campervan crash
June 23, 11.45am: The Bass Hwy at Carrick is blocked in both directions between Illawarra and Oaks Roads after a car and campervan collided.
Police have advised motorists to avoid the area until the crash scene has been cleared.
No injuries have been reported at this time.
More to come.