At approximately 3pm today a blue Ford sedan travelling towards Devonport on Mersey Main Road Latrobe, approximately 100 metres west of the Railton Road intersection, collided head on with a silver Toyota Rav4 travelling in the opposite direction.  Police, Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Fire Service responded to the crash scene.

Tragically, as a result of the crash, a front seat male passenger in the blue Ford has died as a result of injuries sustained.  The drivers of both vehicles were conveyed to the North West Regional Hospital where the driver of the Ford remains in a stable but serious condition.

Mersey Main Road was closed for a number of hours while a scene investigation was conducted.  A report for the coroner will be prepared.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash and ask anyone with information to contact Burnie Police Station on 131444 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

‘Today’s fatal crash formed part of a significant amount of crashes reported to and attended by Police during Friday.    From 12 midday Friday until 9pm Friday night, Police attended 27 Traffic crashes reported state-wide with the majority occurring in the Northern and Western Districts and attributable to the rain event and associated wet roads.

It is evident that the rain event following a dry spell was a significant contributing factor in the majority of those reported crashes and Police again remind motorists to drive to the conditions particularly by reducing speed.

Some areas of the state, particularly the South, have not experienced the rain events of the North and North West and with rain forecast for tomorrow (Saturday) it is likely that the road surfaces will be extremely slippery and motorist care is urged accordingly. 

Today’s fatal crash formed part of a series of fatal and serious crashes over the previous week and police investigations into all matters have revealed elements of the fatal 5 vehicular crash causes including alcohol, seatbelt, speed and inattention as contributing factors’.  Inspector Shadbolt said.