Police investigations are continuing into a tragic two-vehicle crash that occurred on the Bass Highway at Elizabeth Town on Friday afternoon, which claimed the lives of three people and left two others in critical condition. The incident, which took place around 2pm east of the Gannons Hill Road intersection, involved a white Chery station wagon and a white Isuzu D-MAX towing a trailer, Tasmania Police confirmed in a media release issued Sunday.
Formal identification processes have now been completed for the deceased. Tasmania Police stated that the two occupants of the white Chery station wagon, both 19-year-old women from the Devonport area, were tragically declared deceased at the scene. Additionally, the rear seat passenger of the Isuzu D-MAX, a 51-year-old man from Wynyard, was also pronounced deceased at the scene.
Two other men, both aged in their 40s and also occupants of the D-MAX, sustained critical injuries in the collision. Tasmania Police reported that these two men remain in a critical condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Emergency services, including Tasmania Police, Ambulance Tasmania, the Tasmania Fire Service, and the SES, responded to the complex scene on Friday afternoon. The Bass Highway was closed for several hours while a crash investigation was conducted, but has since reopened, with motorists advised to drive with extreme caution in the area.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner, Tasmania Police said. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could assist their inquiry. Anyone who witnessed the crash, or has dash cam footage relating to the incident or either vehicle beforehand, and has not yet spoken to police, is urged to come forward.
Information can be provided by phoning Tasmania Police on 131 444 or by contacting Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously via crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000. The traffic crash report number for this incident is 26005959. Tasmania Police extended their thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by this tragic crash.