Train death woman 'walked past boom gates'

Police say a woman killed by an express train in Brisbane walked past boom gates and into its path. Source: AAP

A WOMAN killed by an express train had walked around boom gates and into its path, Queensland police say. It is believed that the woman was running late for a different train that had stopped at Cannon Hill station, in Brisbane's east, and didn't see the express service coming when she walked on to the track.

Inspector Joe Jaramazovic says investigations indicate that the woman walked around the traffic barriers in Barrack Road, near the station, after she unsuccessfully tried to push open a pedestrian gate just before 7am (AEST) on Friday.

A number of witnesses saw her walk on to the track while the boom gates were down and red lights flashing, he said.

The express train is believed to have been travelling in excess of 50km/h when it hit her.

Police believe that the woman is a 31-year-old Asian in Australia on a working visa.

They are working with consulate officials to confirm her identity.

Insp Jaramazovic says the incident is another tragic reminder of the dangers of level crossings.

He says it's not uncommon for a person stressing about missing a train to forget to look left and right before crossing on to the tracks.

"It's unfortunate we have a lot of these cases and far too many close calls," he said.

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NT man charged with attempted murder

NORTHERN Territory police say a man who allegedly tried to kill a woman on New Year's Eve had a domestic violence order out against him.

Serious Crime Squad detectives on Friday charged a 40-year-old man with the attempted murder of a 35-year-old woman in a suburb on Darwin's fringes.

The woman was allegedly assaulted at an Acacia Hills home between 7pm (CST) on Tuesday and 8am the next day.

"The woman was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital on Wednesday morning and has since been released," Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Day said on Friday.

The man was arrested on Thursday and has been charged with deprivation of liberty, attempted murder, aggravated assault and engaging in conduct that contravenes a domestic violence order.

He has been remanded to appear in Darwin Magistrates Court on Monday.

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Funeral of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs

The funeral of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs will take place in north London on Friday. Source: AAP

THE funeral of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs, who died last month aged 84, will take place in London on Friday.

Biggs gained notoriety for spending 36 years on the run after escaping prison.

The robber had been cared for at Carlton Court Care Home in East Barnet, north London, after suffering several strokes in recent years. He was last seen in public last March at the funeral of fellow train robber Bruce Reynolds.

Biggs was released from prison in 2009 on compassionate grounds due to ill health, despite being re-arrested in 2001 after evading the authorities since his first escape from Wandsworth Prison in 1965.

At the time of his escape, Biggs had served just 15 months of the 30-year sentence he was handed for his part in the robbery of a Royal Mail freight train between London and Glasgow on August 8, 1963.

Speaking last year, he said he was proud to have been part of the gang behind the robbery, in which 15 men escaped with a record haul of Stg2.6 million ($A4.8 million) - the equivalent of about Stg46 million today.

For many, the glamour of the crime was overshadowed by the brutal attack on the train's driver, however. Jack Mills, who was coshed, reportedly by Biggs, never fully recovered from the ordeal and died a few years later.

Biggs's funeral will be held at Golders Green Crematorium, north London.

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Woodside could benefit from Shell sale

Woodside Petroleum could benefit from a much anticipated exit by major shareholder Shell. Source: AAP

WOODSIDE Petroleum shares could receive a lift if oil and gas giant Shell offloads its stake in the company for almost $8 billion.

Royal Dutch Shell, a joint venture partner in Woodside's Browse project in Western Australia, has previously indicated it will begin an asset sales program under the stewardship of its new chief executive Ben van Beurden.

JP Morgan analysts in Europe predict Shell could reap $US6.95 ($A7.82) billion by selling its 23.1 per cent interest in Woodside.

They say it is feasible that Shell could embark on an overall divestment program bringing in between $US25 to $US30 billion during 2014/15.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Andy Williams said any sale would most likely be done in tranches, but it was unclear when it might occur.

"Shell has indicated previously that they're not a long term holder so I think it probably overhangs the share price from an investor's point of view," Mr Williams said.

"Reducing it to below 10 per cent or divesting it in its entirety is probably beneficial for Woodside in terms of the market investment opportunity."

Some institutions have been cautious about investing in Woodside, fearing a Shell selldown could lead to a discount in the company's share price.

Shell has progressively reduced its stake in Woodside since its $10 billion takeover bid for the company was rejected by Treasurer Peter Costello on national interest grounds in 2001.

Shell's recent underperformance has also fuelled speculation about imminent assets sales.

Still, analysts say a move by Shell to exit the Woodside share register would be unlikely to affect the Perth-based company's growth ambitions in WA, or further afield in Israel.

Shell has recently been working on a floating LNG (FLNG) option with Woodside for the Browse offshore gas project.

But Mr Williams says Woodside's FLNG ambitions and an exit by Shell are separate issues.

"They'll look at their direct project investments on a stand alone basis," he said.

It comes a day after Woodside said it will push ahead with plans to jointly sell gas from its proposed Browse project despite a Japanese partner terminating a purchase 1.5 million tonne liquefied natural gas deal.

Woodside and its joint venture partners recently decided to pursue a floating LNG option for Browse and will make a final investment in the third quarter of 2015.

Shares in Woodside dropped 43 cents, or 1.1 per cent, to $38.13 on Friday.

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Alleged king hit attacker refused bail

A SYDNEY teenager is likely to be left with brain damage after allegedly being punched to the ground on New Year's Eve by a man claiming to be a mixed martial artist, a court has heard.

Daniel Christie, 18, is in a critical condition in St Vincent's Hospital after he was punched in the face in Kings Cross during New Year's Eve celebrations.

The court heard Mr Christie will likely suffer from a considerable brain injury after being punched by his alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, while shielding two other alleged victims.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Lisa McEvoy said McNeil, who has a history of violence, was celebrating in the city from 9am on Tuesday and had drunk around eight beers and one glass of wine.

"At the end of his time in town, there's a man on the floor with a fractured skull and suspected brain injury and other people with cut lips," she said.

Sgt McEvoy said the police facts in the case were "horrific".

"This was completely unprovoked," she said.

According to facts tendered in court, McNeil had just left the Punchbowl bar in Kings Cross with his girlfriend when he got into a verbal altercation with two young men and an unidentified boy.

After allegedly telling them he was a mixed martial arts fighter, McNeil struck the boy before punching both of his friends, causing them to fall to the ground, the facts said.

As the boy ran one way, the two men ran down the street and attempted to hide behind Mr Christie, who was then allegedly targeted by McNeil.

"The victim has fallen backward and struck his head on the pavement, causing immediate life-threatening injuries," the facts said.

When Daniel Christie's brother Peter tried to intervene, McNeil then turned on him, allegedly punching him and splitting his lip.

McNeil, 25, faced Parramatta Bail Court via videolink on Wednesday where he cried as he was refused bail.

He has been charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm to Daniel Christie, one count of assaulting Peter Christie, and two counts of common assault.

Wearing a forensic suit, he said little during his court appearance on Wednesday.

McNeil has several convictions for violence and dishonesty, the court heard.

The court heard McNeil told police he was acting to protect his girlfriend.

His lawyer said the young men tried to sell him drugs.

McNeil was "very sad" when he heard about Mr Christie's life-threatening injuries, the court heard.

Registrar Chris Steptoe refused bail, noting the "current climate" of unprovoked assaults in Sydney.

The alleged assaults occurred on the same street on the late-night strip where teenage king hit victim Thomas Kelly was killed in 2012.

"Mr McNeil does not live in a box," Sgt McEvoy said.

"He is aware of the circumstances surrounding the recent death of a young man, not to mention the few other young men who ended up in hospital (in similar circumstances)."

McNeil will face court again on Monday.

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Violence mars Australian NYE celebrations

New Year celebrations around Australia have been marred by deaths and violence among revellers. Source: AAP

ONE man died and two others are in critical condition after violence marred New Year's Eve celebrations in Western Australia, NSW and South Australia.

While millions of people rang in 2014 without incident, there were ugly scenes in Victoria, where revellers clashed with police at an out-of-control Melbourne party.

In the most serious incident in the country, a man died after a fight at a beach party on tiny Wedge Island off the West Australian coast.

Police say the man died after being assaulted just before 1.30am on the 400-metre-long island, 160 kilometres north of Perth.

Two other people were injured, with one flown by rescue helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital.

In the state's southwest, a woman died after a suspected drug overdose, WA police said.

In Sydney, an estimated two million people lined Sydney Harbour to view the 12-minute midnight fireworks display, with pyrotechnic displays also going off at 9pm and 10.30pm.

But in nearby Kings Cross, 18-year-old Daniel Christie was left in critical condition after being hit in an allegedly unprovoked attack about 9pm.

He is fighting for life at St Vincent's Hospital.

His alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, 25, was refused bail on Wednesday, with a Sydney court told Mr Christie was shielding others when he was struck.

In Adelaide, a 63-year-old man was left in critical condition after being stabbed several times.

Police charged a 55-year-old woman with attempted murder over the stabbing.

More than 100 people were arrested in Adelaide suburbs, authorities said.

More than 170 were arrested in NSW during festivities, charged with offences including assault and robbery. Ninety-seven people were charged last New Year's Eve.

NSW Ambulance Deputy Commissioner Mick Willis said more than 1000 patients were treated in the metropolitan region overnight.

"Overall the crowd was very good ... but sadly, again, through the use of alcohol and drugs we saw a number of violent clashes," he told reporters.

On the water, more than 100 New Year's Eve revellers had to be rescued from boats across Sydney, with three people taken to hospital.

Further south, at least two police officers were assaulted at a New Year's Eve party in Melbourne.

About 15,000 people attended the monster bash at Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy that forced authorities to set up a triage facility to treat about 20 revellers.

Twenty-three people were arrested in Melbourne's city centre, while at least 160 people were treated by ambulance officers in the city surrounds.

In Queensland, more than 80,000 people packed Brisbane's inner city about midnight and 44 people were arrested, down from 62 last New Year's Eve.

The Gold Coast recorded less crime, with 92 arrests compared with 121 during the previous celebrations.

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Man, 20, killed at WA New Year beach party

A 20-year-old man from Perth was killed in a brawl at a New Year's Eve party on a remote WA island. Source: AAP

A MURDER investigation is under way after a 20-year-old man died following a fight at a New Year's Eve beach party in Western Australia.

Police say the man from Kelmscott, in Perth's southeast, died after being assaulted on the remote Wedge Island, 160 kilometres north of Perth, shortly before 1.30am (WST) on Wednesday.

A man and a woman, both 25, were injured in the brawl.

The man was flown by rescue helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital with a serious arm injury, while the woman was taken by ambulance to the Joondalup Health Campus in Perth's north.

A police spokeswoman would not confirm reports the dead man was attacked with a machete.

She said reports that the fight involved hundreds of people were incorrect.

Wedge Island is 400 metres long and lies just off the coast.

WA's Major Crime Squad is investigating the man's death.

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GP fee would be a mistake: Greens

The Green says the government can reduce health expenditure by rectifying "piecemeal" reform. Source: AAP

THE government can reduce health expenditure by rectifying "piecemeal" reform and investing in treating more people in the community, the Greens say.

The party was responding to a proposal received by the National Commission of Audit for a co-payment scheme for GP consultations.

Acting Greens leader Richard Di Natale, who will chair a senate committee established to report on the commission of audit, said for the government to "balance the books" on the back of the health care of ordinary Australians would be a "big mistake".

"Of course there are some efficiencies to be gained in health care but putting a barrier in front of people to access a doctor is not the way to achieve it," Senator Di Natale said on Wednesday.

Senator Di Natale said instead of a co-charge to see a doctor, the commission of audit should look at the health system more broadly.

"Why not look at those areas in health care we might be funding that are not being funded on the basis of good evidence," he said.

"We treat people in hospitals, often the worst places for somebody who's sick who doesn't need to be there, when we could be treating them in the community.

"We could be investing in the greater use of antibiotics, for example, in the community; greater supports for people in the community so that they're not in hospitals being exposed to the risk of infection."

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Measles linked to Sydney dance event

Dancers who attended a recent Sydney competition have been told to look out for measles symptoms. Source: AAP

DANCERS who participated in a Sydney competition recently have been warned to be on the lookout for measles symptoms.

NSW Health issued a health alert after being made aware of three measles cases in people who probably contracted the infection at the World Supremacy Battleground hip hop competition.

The competition was held at Sydney Olympic Park on December 7 and 8.

The first case came to NSW Health's attention on December 27, with a competitor from Adelaide coming down with measles.

On Monday night, further cases were reported by a New Zealand patient and a Sydney resident.

NSW Health communicable diseases director Dr Vicky Sheppeard advised anyone who attended the dance event to be alert for measles symptoms.

"Measles is highly infectious and is spread through coughing and sneezing," Dr Sheppeard said in a statement.

"Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes which usually last for several days before a red, blotchy rash appears."

The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms can be up to 18 days.

NSW Health believes that there may be other cases in the community now or secondary cases could be developing.

Anyone with measles symptoms is advised to contact their local public health unit or phone ahead to a GP to ensure that the waiting area is not shared with others.

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Qld police use Eve for G20 practice

Police in Brisbane will use the New Year's Eve celebration to prepare for November's G20 summit. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND police say they will use New Year's Eve to prepare for when Brisbane hosts the G20 in 2014.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating says up to 2700 officers will be on duty statewide on Tuesday night.

He says more than 200,000 people are expected to welcome in 2014 in the centre of Brisbane alone, plus tens of thousands more in other cities and towns.

Around 80,000 of those are expected in the South Bank cultural quarter, which will host the world leaders' summit in November.

"We can build on the experiences we have had for many years with these types of events in the city," Mr Keating told reporters on Tuesday.

"It's a good lesson for any event in the future in the South Bank area and that includes the G20."

Mr Keating said the large police contingent will be keeping a close eye on everything from anti-social behaviour to drink driving.

Alcohol bans are in place in areas including the South Bank.

Up to 600 officers will be on duty in Brisbane and a similar number on the Gold Coast.

"I've never met anybody who enjoyed waking up in the watchhouse on New Year's Day - it's not a really nice way to start your new year," Mr Keating said.

"For that matter you don't want to end up in a hospital waiting room or an emergency centre."

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US town evacuated after train derails

A small town in the US is being evacuated after a train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded. Source: AAP

AUTHORITIES have urged residents to evacuate a town in North Dakota after a 1.6-kilometre train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded.

The Cass County sheriff's office said on Monday night it was "strongly recommending" that the 2,400 residents of Casselton and anyone living 8km to the south and east evacuate.

The sheriff's office said the National Weather Service was forecasting a shift in the weather that would push down a plume of smoke from the train wreck, which could increase the risk to health.

The BNSF Railway train left the tracks about 2:30pm on Monday, and as many as 10 cars caught fire. No one was hurt.

Authorities said a second train carrying grain had been involved in the incident. BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth said the train carrying grain derailed first, then knocked several cars of the oil train off adjoining tracks.

Ryan Toop, who lives near the accident scene, said he heard explosions and drove as close as about two city blocks to the fire.

"I rolled down the window, and you could literally keep your hands warm," Toop said.

Another witness, Hannah Linnard, 13, said: "I looked out the window and all of a sudden the train car tipped over and the whole thing was engulfed in flames and it just exploded.

"The oil car tipped over on to the grain car."

The railway tracks pass through the middle of Casselton, and Cass County Sheriff's Sergeant Tara Morris said it was "a blessing it didn't happen within the city".

The train had more than 100 cars, and about 80 of them have been moved away from the site.

Morris said it could take up to 12 hours before authorities could get close to the fire.

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Wet 'n' Wild postpones Sydney NYE event

Sydney's Wet 'n' Wild has postponed a New Year's Eve party just hours before it was due to start. Source: AAP

ABOUT 10,000 people are believed to be missing out on a New Year's Eve party in Sydney as it has been postponed just hours before it was due to start.

Tickets for the event at the newly-opened Wet 'n' Wild theme park cost between $110 and $200 and it will now take place on Australia Day.

NSW Fair Trading says it expects the event promoter to provide a refund to people who cannot attend the postponed event in January.

According to a statement on the Wet 'n' Wild website, One Cube Entertainment, a promotions company organising the event, made the decision to postpone the NYE Festival due to a major technical production issue.

"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and are currently working on something even better for Australia Day," a One Cube Entertainment spokesperson said in the statement.

An artist manager told AAP One Cube Entertainment had attributed the cancellation to Wet 'n' Wild expressing occupational health and safety concerns.

The manager, who spoke on the basis of anonymity, said contractually his artist was still entitled to a full fee.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said under Australian consumer law, a remedy was available if a consumer did not get the service they paid a supplier for.

"You can seek to have refund provided," he told AAP.

Mr Stowe said some ticket holders could not or did not want to attend the postponed event on Australia Day.

"We are expecting the promoters will provide refunds to the consumers who cannot attend," he said."

People who paid for tickets on credit cards will be able to apply for a charge back from their credit institution, Mr Stowe added.

A father called Mick told Macquarie Radio his daughters had been trying to contact Wet 'n' Wild since finding out about the event postponement on Facebook.

"We have been trying to contact Wet 'n' Wild this morning and get a number for this promoter because obviously the kids want a refund but no luck so far," he said.

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Vic child killed after tree branch fall

A CHILD has died and a woman was seriously injured after a tree branch fell on them at a park in Bendigo.

Police said the pair were at Rosalind Park when a large branch has fallen from a tree about 5.20pm (AEDT) and killed the young girl.

The woman, aged in her 30s, was taken to Bendigo Hospital in a serious condition with head injuries, a fractured leg and possible spinal injuries.

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Kids to benefit from big federal programs

Kids with bad teeth are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of two major federal programs. Source: AAP

KIDS with bad teeth are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of two major federal government programs focused on children starting in the new year.

A new schools funding system begins in 2014 and will pump hundreds of millions into schools and their more than three million students around the country.

The federal government has pledged an extra $2.8 billion in total over the next four years, although the individual state's allocations are still to be finalised.

From January 1, a $4.1 billion dental benefits scheme aims to improve the oral health of children aged two to 18 years and adults on low incomes. The scheme is to run for six years.

Parents will be able to access Medicare payments capped at $1000 over two years for a wider range of specific services, from basic dental check-ups and cleaning through to emergency care.

Previously, eligible persons could only get money back from the government to help pay for a single dental check-up each year.

The new package will cover 3.4 million children and one million adults.

Federal parliamentarians will face a new crackdown on expenses rorting when a new system comes into force after a number were this year forced to pay back travel expenses.

From January 1, MPs and senators required to repay claims found to be ineligible will be hit with a "significant financial penalty" worth 25 per cent of their claim.

Repeat offenders and their offices will receive mandatory training on expenses rules.

In the workplace, victims of office bullying will be able to take their cases to the Fair Work Commission, which can hold mediations and has new powers to make orders to prevent bullying.

But it won't have the power to order compensation.

Some 2000 of Tasmania's unemployed are set to benefit from the federal coalition government's Apple Isle jobs program, after it was brought forward by six months to Wednesday.

Businesses in Tasmania, which suffers from high unemployment and little economic growth, will be in line for one-off payments of $3250 if they hire a job seeker for at least six months full-time work.

As well, there's also potential for lower grocery prices from January 1, after retailing giants Coles and Woolworths agreed to stop funding fuel discounts through their supermarkets divisions.

Future fuel discounts will be covered by their fuel retailing businesses, after an agreement was reached this year with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

There would have been more federal changes from January 1, but these have been held up in the Senate where the legislation is still being examined.

These include plans to halt tax benefits for families whose teenaged children have finished school, tighten pension eligibility criteria for Australians living overseas and replace student tertiary "start-up" scholarships with loans.

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Motorcyclist critical after head-on smash

A MOTORCYCLIST is fighting for his life in hospital after he collided head-on with a cattle truck near Wagga Wagga.

Police said the collision occurred on the Sturt Highway about 8.5 kilometres west of Wagga, about 10.40am (AEDT) Monday.

The rider, a 66-year-old man, was taken to Wagga Base Hospital with life threatening injuries.

The 28-year-old driver of the semi-trailer was taken to the same hospital for blood and urine testing.

The highway was closed for over six hours, but has now reopened.

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Holiday toll rises to 21

A HORROR NSW car crash that claimed the life of a young girl and injured five others is one of three fatal smashes that has lifted the Christmas holiday road death toll to 21.

The young girl died at the scene of the single-vehicle crash that occurred about 50 kilometres south of Cessnock on George Downes Drive, Bucketty, shortly before 1pm (AEDT) Monday.

Police said a woman in her 30s, believed to be the driver, and another young girl suffering a serious head injury were airlifted to hospital.

Three other people were treated at the scene for abrasions and minor injuries then airlifted to Westmead Hospital by a second rescue helicopter, NSW Ambulance said.

The young girl's death takes the NSW road toll to seven.

In the second fatal crash on Monday, a Melbourne motorcyclist died after he collided with a car in the city's west.

The Maribyrnong man, aged in his 30s, collided with a Ford Falcon as the sedan turned into Bunbury Street at Footscray late on Saturday night.

He died at the scene.

The Ford driver, a 36-year-old Wyndham Vale man, is assisting police with their inquiries.

The motorcyclist is the third person to die on Victorian roads during the holiday period.

In Perth, a 51-year-old woman who was hit by a car on Christmas Eve died in hospital this evening.

Astrid Hall was struck on Roe Highway in Beckenham, in Perth's south-east, on December 24 and died at Royal Perth Hospital on Sunday as a result of her injuries, police said.

Three people have now died on WA roads over the holiday period.

The national road toll period runs from midnight December 23, 2013 until midnight January 3, 2014, local times, in line with the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Board.

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Spike in mosquito-borne virus in WA

The number of West Australians diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya has surged. Source: AAP

THE number of West Australians diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya has surged, with most contracting it in Bali.

The latest notifiable disease report from WA Health shows there were 54 cases in the year to December 16, up from three at the same time last year.

Australian Medical Association vice-president Michael Gannon said the increase was significant.

"I think it just reflects the sheer number of Australians travelling to Bali for holiday," he told Fairfax.

"And when you travel to the tropics, you get exposed to infections that you won't get exposed to at home, so it's important that you take different precautions."

Chikungunya symptoms are flu-like, including fever, chills and muscular aches.

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Times Square preps for New Year's Eve bash

NEW York City's Times Square is getting ready for New Year's Eve.

The square will host millions on Tuesday night counting down the last few moments of 2013.

Starting on Saturday, six Citibikes from the city's bike share program were being installed in Times Square and connected to 12-volt deep cycle batteries.

New Yorkers and tourists will generate power by pedalling. That will help illuminate the famed ball that will descend New Year's Eve.

Each bike will generate an average of 75 watts an hour. It takes 50,000 watts to power the ball, which is lit by 30,000 LEDs.

Additionally, a giant paper shredder and a dumpster were installed in Times Square on Saturday to allow visitors to destroy bad memories of 2013.

The annual event is dubbed Good Riddance Day.

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Cyclone closer to WA's north coast

A category two cyclone off the Western Australian Kimberley coast is expected to intensify. Source: AAP

A CATEGORY two cyclone off Western Australia's Kimberley coast is expected to intensify as it heads towards the Pilbara.

Tropical Cyclone Christine was 280 kilometres off Broome at 2pm (WST) on Sunday and was moving towards the Pilbara coast about 10 kilometres an hour, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The bureau said the cyclone was "expected to intensify further as it moves towards the Pilbara coast".

It is forecasting the cyclone to bring heavy rainfall and gales of up to 100km/h south of Cape Leveque on Sunday.

Gales are expected to extend further west along the Pilbara coast to Whim Creek late on Sunday or Monday morning as the cyclone approaches.

On Monday, the cyclone is forecast to bring "very destructive" gales and heavy rainfall to Mardie and possibly as far west as Exmouth, with winds possibly reaching 165km/h.

Coastal communities between Pardoo and Mardie have been warned of the potential for a dangerous storm tide late on Monday or early on Tuesday.

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Holiday road toll rises to 18

Three more people have been killed on Australian roads, lifting the holiday road toll to 18. Source: AAP

THE Christmas holiday road death toll has risen to 18, with the latest victims including a cyclist who collided with a ute and a woman whose car smashed into a tree.

The cyclist, 21, died in Tasmania after he collided with the ute on the West Tamar Highway in Launceston on Sunday morning.

The death of the Trevallyn man is the second road fatality in Tasmania during the holiday period.

In NSW, a 69-year-old man was killed after losing control of his motorbike when he hit a gravel embankment at Khancoban, near the border of NSW and Victoria, on Sunday morning.

The man, who was riding near his son on another motorbike, died at the scene, with the death taking NSW's road toll to six.

A 31-year-old woman died in a car crash southeast of Perth on Saturday night.

She was a front passenger in a white Holden Commodore sedan that was travelling from Narrogin to Williams about 6.45pm (WST) when it left the road and hit a large tree at Minigin.

The woman and the 30-year-old male driver were trapped in the car and had to be freed by emergency workers, but she died at the scene.

The driver was critically injured and airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital.

Two people have died on WA roads this holiday period.

The national road toll period runs from midnight on December 23, 2013, until midnight on January 3, 2014, local times, in line with the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Board.

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