Tas man dies when car hits tree

A man spoke to police on the phone moments before his car hit a tree and burst into flames, south of Launceston, killing him.

The crash occurred in Powranna at 3.30pm (AEDT) on Thursday and the male driver was the only occupant of the vehicle, police say.

Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard said the driver had been in recent contact with police.

"Police were endeavouring to locate the driver as there were concerns for his welfare," he said.

Mr Tilyard said there was no police pursuit or attempts to intercept the vehicle.

Tasmanian Professional Standards officers will conduct an internal investigation.

The death takes the Tasmanian holiday road toll to three.

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.