A holiday in Tasmania has ended in tragedy for a family from Newcastle, after a 16-year-old girl was killed in a devastating crash involving an all-terrain vehicle.
Double Fatality on West Coast Highway
The fatal collision occurred on Saturday, January 3, 2026, on a highway near the town of Rosebery in Tasmania's rugged west. According to Tasmanian police, the ATV the teenager was travelling in collided with a utility vehicle. The 16-year-old from Newcastle, who was reportedly holidaying in the area, died at the scene.
A 38-year-old man from Rosebery, who was also on the ATV, was also killed in the impact. The driver of the ute, a 40-year-old man, escaped physical injury. He was taken for mandatory drug and alcohol testing as part of the police investigation.
Community Rallies to Support Grieving Family
Police confirmed that out-of-state tourists were among the first to arrive at the remote scene and provided assistance before emergency services could arrive. Officers have extended their sympathies, stating their thoughts are with the family and loved ones of both deceased individuals.
A report is now being prepared for the coroner as investigations into the exact circumstances of the crash continue. Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Fundraiser for Repatriation and Support
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign organised by a Rosebery local has circulated widely online. The fundraiser has already gathered close to $19,000, with the aim of supporting the teenager's grieving family and helping cover the costs of repatriating her body to her home in Newcastle, New South Wales.
The incident has sent shockwaves through both the close-knit community of Rosebery and the teenager's home city of Newcastle, leaving a Hunter family to confront an unimaginable loss far from home.
