A 17 year old Gagebrook youth was critically injured and five others received non life threatening injuries in a multiple vehicle crash on the Bass Highway near Westbury last night.
A blue 2002 Holden Commodore utility containing two 17 year old males from Hobart heading eastbound is believed to have been traveling on the incorrect side of a straight section of road when it collided initially with a Toyota Land Cruiser wagon containing a family of six (including four children aged under 12) from Caveside.
The ute then struck the side of an empty semi-trailer fuel tanker traveling west before spearing head-on into a Mazda CX-5 being driven west by a 35 year old Deloraine woman accompanied by her 12 year old son.
The final impact with the Mazda resulted in the passenger of the utility being thrown from the vehicle.
This 17 year old male sustained critical injuries and after being conveyed to the Launceston General Hospital was flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital for surgery.
The driver of the ute was conveyed to the Launceston General Hospital with less serious injuries along with the driver of the Mazda who was suffering abdominal pain. All children escaped injury along with the truck driver.
Initial investigations suggest the passenger of the utility was not wearing a seatbelt.
The highway was closed for a period of nearly six hours whilst emergency services were in attendance at the scene including the Crash investigation, Forensics, the Tasmania Fire Service and the State Emergency Service.
Police will return to the scene about 3pm today to continue their investigation in relation to the crash and the highway will be closed for approximately 30 minutes.
Traffic diversions will be put in place at the following locations;
On the eastern approach – Oaks Rd
On the western side at Meander Valley Road
Motorists are asked to avoid the area.
