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Mother and son injured after semi-trailer crosses median and slams into them before crashing into house

The truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene and the female while male occupants of the house have been taken to the hospital

BY SHADIYA ZUBAIR

UPDATED MAR 22, 2023

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA: A man has tragically died and a mother and son got seriously injured after a truck crashed into a home in Launceston. According to reports, a semi-trailer is suspected to have crossed the median strip and collided with a car before crashing through a fence and into the rear of a house on Goderich St in Invermay. The incident occurred at approximately 6:50 am on Wednesday, March 22. The 68-year-old truck driver, who was operating a B-double De Bruyn's Transport truck, was unable to be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Tasmania police acting Inspector Andrew Hanson, "It has crossed the median strip into the north-bound lanes, it's collided with a small white hatchback, and the truck has then continued on through a fence and has crashed into the back end of a house in Howard street." "Unfortunately, the driver of the truck could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. The female and male occupants of the white hatchback have been taken to the Launceston General Hospital. They were a mother and son. The mother is in a serious condition but is not critical," he added. “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time,” police said, ABC News reported.

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'It could have been a lot worse'

Despite the considerable damage to the house, the two residents luckily escaped uninjured. "There's quite substantial damage to the back," Inspector Hanson said.

"My understanding is that they have got some help from neighbors. They're with neighbors at the moment and they're just working through the process of contacting the insurance and trying to fix what's happened to them," he added. According to Hanson, the accident could've been worse, "Potentially it could have been a lot worse. Perhaps they were lucky that they were still in bed towards the front of the house."

Goderich St road has been shut down

Authorities are now looking into the accident and suspect that a medical episode was the reason for the crash. Emergency personnel are still present at the scene as law enforcement officials try to determine the cause of the incident and clear the roadway. Commuters should anticipate disruptions, as the northbound and southbound lanes of Goderich St have been shut down. Drivers are encouraged to take Vermont Rd and Invermay Rd as alternate routes until further notification. A report will be drafted for the coroner's office.