A man has allegedly driven a car through a tent at a campground in Tasmania in the early hours of New Year’s Day, injuring two adults and three children.

They were taken to the Northwest Regional Hospital with injuries ranging from minor lacerations to suspected internal injuries.

The incident occurred about 2am on Saturday at the West Kentish Road Campgrounds in the state’s northwest.

“Police will allege that the male crashed his vehicle through a tent which contained two adults and three children sleeping inside,” Tasmania Police said in a statement.

“The male then narrowly missed other camping sites and people in the area prior to colliding with a tree.

“Tasmania Police would like to thank all members of the public that assisted with this incident, as their actions undoubtedly prevented further people from being seriously injured.”

A 27-year-old man is in police custody and investigations are ongoing.

Acting Sergeant Fabienne Jamieson said police were told the man was “exhibiting anti-social behaviour prior to the crash”.

Anyone with information has been asked to come forward.

Bad start to the year

In a separate incident, two women and a man were seriously injured after being struck by a Toyota van driven by a woman at a property on Bruny Island south of Hobart on New Year’s Eve.

The 59-year-old driver, who was uninjured, has been charged with one count of driving while disqualified and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving.

She was expected to appear at a court session in Hobart on Saturday evening.

The man and two women were flown by helicopter to Royal Hobart Hospital and are in a critical but stable condition.