Dennis Butcher

• Individual
• Ancestors
• Descendants
• Relationship
• Timeline
• Family
• Suggest

Policemen Die On Way To Farm

Policemen die on way to farm
TWO George Town policemen on their way to the scene of the mysterious animal disease at Bridgenorth yesterday, were killed when the car in which they were travelling and a log truck collided on the East Tamar Highway.
Killed were the driver Sen Const Colin Chesterton (33), and Sgt Dennis Butcher (39) who was on his way to supervise police operations at the Bridgenorth farm.
The driver of the truck, Ronald Neil Kerrison, of Crowther St, Beaconsfield, was not injured in the crash, but was taken to hospital suffering severe shock.
The accident happened at about 11 am in torrential rain near the turn off to Longreach woodchip plant.
The car disintegrated on impact, throwing Sen Const Chesterton a considerable distance. Sgt Butcher was trapped in the car.
Police believe the two men died instantly.
Sgt Butcher was married with three children and had been living in George Town for 10 years.
He joined the police force in August 1960 and served at Hobart, Launceston, Queenstown, Mathinna, Colebrook, Campbell Town and George Town.
He received a high commendation for devotion to duty in the February 1967 bush fire emergency and he was promoted to sergeant in 1973.
This year he was awarded the Australian National Medal.
Sen Const Chesterton was married with two children. He was born in Brisbane and joined the Tasmanian police force in May 1970.
He served in Hobart, Devonport, Wynyard, Glenorchy and the Hobart CIB and was transferred to George Town CIB in September last year.
He was promoted to senior constable in August, 1978.
An identification inquest will be opened at Launceston this morning.
--The Mercury, Hobart, Tasmania, October 24, 1979