Two people have died in a crash on Pacific Highway near Tea Gardens turn-off

UPDATE: Pacific Highway partially opened after two cars and a motorcycle were involved in a collision on Thursday. Two people have died and two others injured.

Two people have died and two others hospitalised following a horror three-vehicle crash on the Pacific Highway at Tea Gardens.

Police said emergency services were called to the highway, near Viney Creek Road West, about 1.40pm following reports of the crash between two cars and a motorcycle.

“Police have been told an Isuzu D-Max utility travelling southbound collided with a motorcycle and a Toyota station wagon, both travelling northbound,” police said in a statement.

“The male motorcyclist died at the scene.

“The female driver of the Toyota was trapped by confinement; however, she died at the scene a short time later.

“The man and the woman have not yet been formally identified.”

Police said a female passenger of the Toyota was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.

The male driver of the Isuzu suffered minor injuries and has been taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.

Port Stephens-Hunter police have established a crime scene and the incident will be investigated by crash experts.

Northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway are closed, with a contraflow in place in one of the two southbound lanes. The northbound lanes are expected to be closed for a significant period of time.

Drivers are urged to expect delays and to drive to the conditions, with a large amount of water across the roads from wet weather today.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway.

Two people have been taken to John Hunter Hospital. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

A NSW Ambulance Service spokeswoman said five paramedics crews along with a specialist medical team, which included a critical care doctor and critical care paramedics, were dispatched to the scene.

“This was an horrific scene for all involved with a number of people injured, unfortunately there was nothing we could do for two of the patients,” NSW Ambulance Inspector Skye Gordon said.

“Thank you to the off duty paramedic who witnessed this shocking accident and didn’t hesitate to rush and treat the patients before we arrived on scene.

“This is a reminder to the public about how dangerous the roads can be, especially when traveling in these wet weather conditions.”

EARLIER:

Two people have died and a third is fighting for their life following a horror crash on the Pacific Highway near the Tea Gardens turn-off.

The highway was initially shut in both directions on Thursday afternoon after reports of a collision involving two cars and a motorcycle near Viney Creek Rd.

Authorities have since partially reopened the highway, with one lane each way on the southbound side of the road.

Emergency services remain on the scene.