Police can confirm a New South Wales man died and a NSW woman is in a critical condition in hospital following a two vehicle crash in Launceston last night.
The crash was between a police vehicle and a silver Lancer shortly before 8.30pm at the intersection of Paterson and St John Streets.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the police officer involved was urgent duty driving responding to a call for assistance with emergency lights activated when the crash occurred.
“The police vehicle, driven by a male police officer, was travelling east along Paterson St when he entered the intersection on a red light with emergency lights activated. The rear left side of the police vehicle collided with the silver Lancer, which was travelling south on St Johns St. The police vehicle flipped and spun around several times, colliding with the two pedestrians, who were walking across the road,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said.
“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family of the deceased man and the woman currently in hospital.
“A male police officer and a female passenger of the silver Lancer remain in the LGH with non-life threatening injuries. Our thoughts are also with the driver and occupants of the silver Lancer as a result of this traumatic incident.
“A full Professional Standards investigation is under way into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“I would like to recognise the admirable efforts of those members of the public who came to the aid of the people involved and provided assistance until emergency services arrived on the scene a short time later.
“This is a traumatic incident for everyone involved, and we will also be providing support to those emergency services workers who have been affected.”
Anyone with information should contact Police on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au
