Tasmania Police were alerted to the crash near Carrick at 6.20am this morning.

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Police have confirmed the deceased man - who was riding a green motorcycle - died at the scene and another man who was driving a white Toyota Hilux has been flown via helicopter to Royal Hobart General Hospital in critical condition.

At the scene of the crash, Inspector Scott Flude said initial investigations suggest the crash occurred when several of the vehicles slowed and subsequently collided.

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"A vehicle has come up the back and caused a 'concertina' crash which has caused three vehicles to each crash into each other as they're slowing," he said.

"After that has occurred, it appears that a truck who has been following also has then crashed into the vehicles that have already had a crash."

It remains unclear what caused the vehicles to initially slow.

Three other men were involved in the crash, two of which sustained minor injuries and are being treated at Launceston General Hospital.

The driver of the truck did not sustain any physical injuries.

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The highway was shut at Travelers Rest and traffic diversions were put in place at the Illawarra Road interchange and at the Meander Valley Road off-ramp.

Crash investigators remained at the scene until 2pm, when the road was cleared and opened back up to the public.