Tasmania Police says stabbing, fatal crash linked

Topic:Accidents and Emergency Incidents

Emergency services were called to a house in Exeter where a woman had received serious stab wounds. (ABC News: Hayden Smith)

Police were called to a home in Exeter in northern Tasmania after reports a woman had sustained serious stab wounds.

Police believe the injuries were inflicted by a man who was known to the woman, and who died in a car crash a short time later.

The woman who was injured in Exeter and another woman who was seriously injured in the car crash remain in hospital as police investigations into both incidents continue.

Tasmania Police says a serious stabbing and subsequent fatal car crash in the state's north yesterday are believed to be linked.

Emergency services were called to a home in Exeter, north of Launceston, about 4:30pm, after reports a woman had sustained "serious stab wounds".

"Our initial investigations indicate the injuries were inflicted by a man known to the woman," Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Stuart Greenwood said in a statement.

"A crime scene was declared at the address and investigators are continuing to conduct inquiries into the incident.

"The woman, aged in her 40s, was taken to hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition."

Police said they believed the incident was linked to a subsequent head-on crash on the West Tamar Highway at Legana, between Exeter and Launceston.

They said from initial inquiries, it appeared the man had left the Exeter home and collided with another vehicle on the highway just before 4:40pm.

"Emergency services attended the crash, and the man, a 42-year-old from Western Australia, was pronounced deceased at the scene," Inspector Greenwood said.

He said the sole occupant of the other vehicle involved in the crash, a woman aged in her 30s, "sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital".

"She is believed to be in a serious condition."

Officers remained at the scene of the crash until late into the night.

"Investigators from multiple specialist areas are continuing to conduct inquiries, and our thoughts are with the injured women, their loved ones and everyone affected by these distressing events," Inspector Greenwood said.

Police are appealing for anyone with relevant dashcam footage or information to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444, or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania.