Media release – Tasmania Police, 4 May 2020
Fatal Single Vehicle Truck Crash – Arthur Highway, Murdunna
A 42-year-old male from Sorell has died following a single vehicle truck crash which occurred on the Arthur Highway, 5.5km south of Murdunna towards Eaglehawk Neck.
The crash occurred at approximately 5:30am when the driver lost control of the white 2004 Volvo truck he was driving whilst attempting to negotiate a right-hand curve in the road whilst travelling north towards Murdunna. At the time of the crash the truck was towing a loaded triaxle semi-trailer.
As the driver lost control the vehicle left the road surface and overturned onto its passenger side. As a result of the crash the male driver was thrown from the vehicle.
The male was declared deceased at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics. A 68-year-old male passenger in the truck, also from Sorell, was conveyed by air ambulance to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police, Ambulance Tasmania, TFS and SES all attended the scene. Arthur Highway at the location of the crash was closed for most of the day until 6pm whilst Police Forensic and Crash Investigation Services personnel investigated the scene. Heavy machinery including two cranes and several trucks were required to assist in removing the truck and its load from the scene before the highway could be reopened.
Initial investigations indicate that the failure to wear a properly fitted and adjusted seat belt is a contributing factor in the male’s death, the use of alcohol or drugs are not suspected. The reason the truck left the road is still being investigated.
Anyone who observed the vehicle prior to the collision is asked to contact Acting Sergeant Adam HALL at Southern Crash Investigation Services on 62302111 or by contacting Crime Stoppers.
Police continue to call for the driver of a light-coloured small sedan which was travelling south at the time of the collision to come forward as the occupant/s may have witnessed the truck fail to negotiate the curve in the road. This vehicle is not believed to be involved in the cause of the crash.
Tasmania Police express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
