Teenage motorbike rider and pillion passenger dead, third critical, frustrating Tasmania Police

The crashes come a day after Tasmania Police issued a road safety warning after two 17-year-old riders were caught speeding more 69kph over their allowable limits on New Years Day.
About 8:00pm Saturday, a 17-year-old rider from Mowbray and his 31-year-old pillion passenger from Mayfield cut across a grass verge on the East Tamar Highway near the Mowbray Connecter in order to change directions.
The rider failed to give way as he merged back onto the highway, police said.
They collided with a four-wheel-drive utility, with the impact killing the 17-year-old instantly and his passenger dying a short time later in the Launceston General Hospital.
Police said the 17-year-old had a learner's permit to drive a car, but was not licensed for a motorbike.
They also said drug paraphrenalia was found at the scene, but would not give further details.
Acting Sergeant Nathan Slater said the accident was disappointing, given police had warned motorcyclists of such dangers just eight hours prior to the crash.
"To have two young men killed in a tragic accident that could've been easily avoided with a little bit more attention, it's a sad way to end and now the friends and family of those males are left to pick up the pieces," he said.
"It is very frustrating, particularly given the circumstances of the accident, where just a few more seconds of attention, being aware of what's going on around you... the accident could have quite easily been avoided and the gentlemen would still be with us today.
"But unfortunately that hasn't occurred and they've passed away."
The driver of the ute suffered minor injuries and was also taken to hospital.
Police asked anyone who saw the black motorcycle shortly before the crash to come forward.

Motorcyclist critical after second crash

Photo: A 51-year old motorcyclist was seriously injured in the crash near Lilydale. (ABC News: Rosemary Bolger)

A 51-year old man is in a critical condition after his motorcycle and a car collided on Lilydale Road.
Police said the man from Underwood was on his way to a church meeting this morning.
Police Inspector Darren Hopkins said the motorcycle crossed to the wrong side of the road on a corner and collided with a small sedan travelling in the opposite direction.
He was thrown some distance from the motorcycle," he said.
"The rider of the motorcycle is in a critical condition, with severe injuries to leg and his head."
The man has been taken to the Launceston General Hospital, while the female driver and seven-year-old female passengers were uninjured but shaken.
Police said they are investigating if speed was a factor in the crash.
Tasmanian Police said it was a tragic end to their 11-day road safety blitz Operation Crossroads, which wraps up at midnight.
More than 1,200 people have been charged with speeding offences over the Christmas period.