Two dead in car crash in Tasmania's south

A serious car crash on the East Derwent Highway at Old Beach in southern Tasmania has resulted in the deaths of two individuals. Tasmania Police confirmed that the collision occurred shortly before midday between a Holden Barina hatchback and a Mitsubishi Triton utility vehicle.

The two occupants of the Barina hatchback tragically died at the scene. The driver of the Triton utility vehicle sustained no injuries. Police have stated that the identification of the deceased is still being formalized. Emergency services remained at the scene, and the East Derwent Highway was closed between Baskerville and Cassidys roads while investigations commenced.

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Identification of those two people is still to be formalised

Tasmania Police Inspector Brenda Orr urged motorists to exercise caution, noting the challenges presented by the current season, including wet conditions, longer hours of darkness, and the potential for ice and slippery roads. "Always drive to the conditions, take extra caution to get to your destination safely," Orr advised.

This fatal crash contributes to a grim statistic for Tasmania's roads. Since Friday, four people have died in separate incidents across the state. Earlier on Friday, a 52-year-old woman died in a crash near Hillwood, and on Monday, a man in his 60s passed away in hospital following a crash at Carrick. The state's road toll for 2026 now stands at 16, compared to 25 at the same time last year.

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This time of year in particular presents additional pressures and challenges, with often wet conditions, longer hours of darkness and potential for ice and slippery conditions. Always drive to the conditions, take extra caution to get to your destination safely.