Media release – Tasmania Police, 26 December 2022

Longford Fatal Crash

Sadly, the 70-year-old motorcycle rider involved in a crash at Longford today has died.

About 12.25pm emergency services responded to the crash near the intersection of Brickendon Street and Woolmers Lane, involving a white Toyota Hilux and a yellow Suzuki motorcycle.

At this early stage in the investigation, police believe the Toyota, which was towing farm machinery,  was turning right from Brickendon Street onto Woolmers Lane when the motorcycle impacted the rear right side of the Toyota.

The motorcycle rider was transported to the Launceston General Hospital in a critical condition, where they sadly later died.

The driver of the Toyota was not physically injured.

Anyone who saw the Toyota or motorcycle prior to the crash is asked to contact police on 131 444 or provide information through Crime Stoppers Tasmania (this can be done anonymously) at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 – quote OR762396.

Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the deceased.

Motorists urged to be safe on the roads following driving related charges in the north-west

Police are urging motorists to do the right thing on the roads, as Operation Safe Arrival continues across the state, and several people have been charged with driving related offences in the north-west.

“Operation Safe Arrival, Tasmania Police’s annual festive season road safety initiative, is continuing across the state, targeting dangerous behaviours like speeding, mobile phone use, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Inspector Adam Spencer.

“If you’re not obeying the road rules, you should be aware that police will be ‘looking out’ for you while we’re on patrol.”

Since Friday, across the north-west, traffic related charges laid include:

  • 27-year-old Wynyard man charged with evade police and speeding in Burnie.
  • 33-year-old East Devonport woman charged with drink driving in Devonport.
  • 32-year-old Burnie man charged with drink driving and driving whilst not the holder of a licence.
  • 44-year-old Havenview man charged with evade police in Wynyard.
  • 30-year-old Ulverstone man charged with drink driving and driving whilst disqualified.
  • 39-year-old Penguin man charged with drink driving, driving whist disqualified and in an unregistered vehicle.
  • 19-year-old Ulverstone man charged with evade police in Devonport.
  • 53-year-old Devonport woman charged with drink driving.
  • 22-year-old Devonport man charged with driving without a licence and evade police.
  • 24-year-old Bridgewater man charged for drive whilst disqualified in Acton.
  • 43-year-old Upper Burnie man charged for driving whilst disqualified in Burnie.
  • 43-year-old Somerset woman charged with driving under the influence of a drug in Wynyard.
  • 28-year-old Latrobe man charged with driving whilst disqualified in Devonport.
  • 58-year-old Burnie man charged with drink driving at Sulphur Creek.
  • 55-year-old Victorian man charged with drink driving in Latrobe.
  • 30-year-old Newnham woman charged with aggravated evade police, reckless driving, driving without a licence, disobeying red traffic light, and speeding in Burnie.
  • 20-year-old Burnie woman charged with drink driving in Shorewell Park.

“Please do the right thing and help us keep everyone safe this holiday season.”

DERWENT RIVER RESCUE

Police in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter have safely winched a man from the Derwent River.

Around 7.50pm police received reports of a kayaker in the Derwent River, between Old Beach and Claremont, appearing to be in distress.

The man was reportedly in the water, wearing a floatation device and holding onto the hull of a kayak.

Police attended and maintained observations on the man from the shoreline while the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched.

The man was safely winched from the water and is receiving medical treatment.