Updated, 9:20am Thursday: A young motorcyclist is fighting for his life after he was thrown over a roadside barrier in a serious crash in northern Tasmania.
The 20-year-old Waverley man lost control of his blue Yamaha at the intersection of the Midland Highway and Howick Street in Launceston at 4:35pm on Wednesday.
He struck Armco railing at “high speed” before being flung over the barrier and landing beside the road, police said.
His motorcycle continued along the highway and collided with the rear of a white Ford Ranger. The ute’s driver was uninjured.
Paramedics rushed the rider to the Launceston General Hospital, where he remained in a critical condition on Thursday morning.
Tasmania Police closed a single lane of the Midland Highway for three hours as crash investigators examined the scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dash cam footage to come forward.
Earlier: A motorcyclist has been seriously injured following a crash on Wellington Street in Launceston today.
Police have closed the left lane of the road near the Midland Highway, with officers diverting traffic around the crash site.
Police are asking drivers to avoid the Wellington Street area if possible and to seek alternative routes into the city centre.
