BY MARK BAKER
14/04/2009 2:28:00 PM
The scene of the crash that claimed the life of a 22-year-old policeman in Launceston yesterday morning. Picture: NEIL RICHARDSON
SPEED appears to be a factor in a crash that killed an off-duty policeman in Launceston yesterday morning.
The 22-year-old was driving down Talbot Rd to High St when he lost control of his car and crashed into a power pole about 5.45am.
Accident investigator Sgt Mike Davis said the black Honda Civic hit a metal barrier at the bottom of the hill.
After clipping the barrier, the 2007 model Civic slid sideways for 60m and crossed a traffic island before hitting the pole on the passenger's side, Sgt Davis said.
"Due to the severity of the impact, the driver was killed instantly," he said.
The force of the impact bent the car around the pole, which was pushed about 40cm from its base.
Startled neighbours who were woken by the crash tried in vain to help the Prospect Vale man.
Northern District Commander Glenn Frame said accident investigators would prepare a report for the coroner.
"If speed was a factor, and it may well be the case, it's certainly something that will come out during the investigation," Cdr Frame said.
"We're not hiding away from what the cause of the accident might be, but as we conduct an investigation a report will be completed the same as every other serious or fatal accident that we attend."
Police closed High St, between Talbot Rd and the roundabout at the intersection with David St, for several hours while accident investigators examined the scene.
The car was winched off the pole on to a tow truck at 9.30am.
The crash left residents in the area without power for several hours until Aurora crews replaced the damaged pole and wires in the afternoon.
Cdr Frame said the constable, who was stationed in Launceston's uniform section, had worked the previous evening.
"It's always extremely sad when anyone loses their life on the road but it hits home more so when it's one of our own," he said.
Counselling will be available to police and other emergency service personnel who attended the scene.
An inquest will be opened into the man's death today. His name has not been released.
Road Safety Task Force chairman Paul Hogan said the first death on Tasmania's roads this Easter, after three people were killed and six seriously injured last year, was a tragedy.
"If there's any consolation there's been fewer deaths than last year, but it's still no consolation because one fatality is more than what we wanted," Mr Hogan said.
"But it's not about statistics ... it's about the emotional impact on loved ones after someone loses their life."
Mr Hogan urged Tasmanians returning home after their Easter break to drive safely.
"People must be extra vigilant and heighten their level of awareness on the roads and be conscious of other people's actions too."
Fourteen people have died nationally with NSW and Queensland both recording five deaths.
Victoria, Western Australia and the ACT had one death each while South Australia and the Northern Territory remained fatality- free.
The State's road toll stands at 24 compared with 15 at the same time last year.
•Anyone who saw the black Civic before the crash is asked to call accident investigation services on 63363936.
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