Updated, 8:20pm Friday: Three people have died and two others are in a critical condition following a two-vehicle crash on the Bass Highway at Elizabeth Town this afternoon.
Police and emergency services were called to the scene, east of the Gannons Hill Road intersection, around 2pm.
Emergency crews arrived to find a white Chery and a white Isuzu D-MAX towing a trailer had collided.
Two women in the Chery were declared dead at the scene.
Three men were in the D-MAX.
One man was declared dead at the scene.
Another was flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition.
The third was taken by ambulance to the Launceston General Hospital, also in a critical condition.
The Bass Highway was closed for several hours while a crash investigation was carried out.
The highway has since reopened, but motorists are asked to drive with extreme caution in the area.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the crash, or of either vehicle beforehand, is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000, quoting reference ESCAD 240-04092026.
Earlier: A serious crash has closed the Bass Highway in both directions near Elizabeth Town, in the state’s north, this afternoon.
Police were called to the collision near the intersection of the Bass Highway and Gannons Hill Road around 2pm on Friday.
It is understood five people are in a serious condition. A rescue helicopter has been dispatched to the scene.
“The Bass Highway is blocked in both directions,” police said, adding it was “anticipated to be closed for several hours”.
“Motorists are asked to avoid the area and obey traffic diversions which will be in place.”
Police say two vehicles were involved in the crash. They had earlier reported three vehicles were involved.
