Young bike rider killed at Risdon Vale

TASMANIA’S horror run of fatal crashes has continued with the death of a young motorcycle rider at Risdon Vale.

Police were called to the scene on Sugarloaf Rd just after 7pm on Sunday.

The 17-year-old’s death, the fourth on the state’s roads in less than a week, took this year’s road toll to 16.

On Thursday, an elderly man died in a crash on Evandale Rd at Western Junction and a 55-year-old woman was killed after her car and a Metro bus collided in Launceston. And a woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash at New Town on Thursday night. Police said the young mo- torcyclist, from Herdsmans Cove, died after a crash with a truck at the intersection of Sugarloaf and Sycamore roads.

A Hino truck, driven by a 67-year-old Risdon Vale man, had been turning from Sycamore Rd into Sugarloaf Rd to travel towards Lindisfarne.

The young man, riding a 200cc blue Suzuki motorcycle, was travelling along Sugarloaf Rd towards the direction of Grass Tree Hill Rd.

The motorcycle hit the driver’s side of the truck’s tray just in front of the rear wheel.

Emergency service personnel tried to resuscitate the motorcyclist but he died at the scene. The truck driver was not injured but was badly shaken.

Police crash investigators would like to hear from anyone who may have seen either vehicle before the crash or who may have witnessed it.

Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au. Alternately, people can contact the principal investigator, Sergeant Rod Carrick, on 131 444.

The Midland Highway was closed last night for three hours while emergency services attended a two vehicle accident at Perth. The highway was closed between Woolmers Lane and Powranna Rd. It was not known if any people were injured in the accident.