http://www.themercury.com.au/art ... _tasmania-news.html
DANIELLE McKAY
April 05, 2010 12:01am
TASMANIA'S fatality-free Easter hangs in the balance as four international visitors fight for their lives after a head-on smash.
And a fifth foreigner and three Tasmanians are in hospital with varying degrees of injury after the two-car crash on Gordon River Rd at Westerway on Saturday about 8pm.
Police are still to identify the five Asians, who were travelling north on a weekend getaway.
The visitors are believed to be students aged in their 20s.
Police say the smash is a timely warning for the thousands of Easter holiday-makers who will make their way home today.
"Be vigilant, drive to the conditions, be mindful of your own driving as well as others' because we don't want to face another horrific accident like this," Sergeant Rod Carrick said yesterday.
Police said a Magna driven by a man had veered on to the wrong side of the road to avoid an animal.
The Magna was packed with camping gear.
The driver, male front-seat passenger and two females in the rear of the vehicle remain in a critical condition in the intensive care unit of the Royal Hobart Hospital.
A fifth passenger is in a serious condition, but is not in intensive care.
The other vehicle, a Toyota Hilux utility, was driven by a 45-year-old Magra man, who was travelling with a 48-year-old woman, also from Magra, and a 15-year-old girl from Austins Ferry.
The man and woman are in a serious but stable condition in hospital and the teenager's condition is described as stable.
Sgt Carrick said speed was not believed to be a factor in the crash and all occupants were believed to be wearing seat belts.
Tasmania's road toll is 10, compared with 20 for the same period last year.
Two people were killed during the last Easter break.
Police will be out in force until tomorrow night.
Motorists are urged to expect delays and allow extra travel time as several breath testing and vehicle check sites are established across the state.
Last year's police operations netted more than 2000 drivers, including 1600 caught speeding.

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