Two people flown to The Alfred, third flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital after crash on the South Gippsland Hwy in Lang Lang

Three people, including a woman who is fighting for life, have been flown to hospital after a crash on a busy highway in Victoria’s southeast, just hours after a fatal collision nearby.

Three people — including a woman who is fighting for life — have been flown to hospital after a crash on a busy highway in the state’s southeast.

About nine emergency service vehicles were called to the scene on the South Gippsland Hwy at Lang Lang just before 3pm on Tuesday.

Upon arrival, crews found the three occupants trapped inside the vehicles.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said two people were flown to The Alfred while a third was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

MCIU detective Sergeant Mark Amos said a black ute travelling towards Korumburra from the Bass Hwy was seen “veering over the road”.

Three people have been flown to hospital after a crash on the South Gippsland Hwy in Lang Lang on Tuesday, October 29 2024, just hours after a fatal collision nearby. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Three people have been flown to hospital after a crash on the South Gippsland Hwy in Lang Lang on Tuesday, October 29 2024, just hours after a fatal collision nearby. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“(The driver) hit the wire barrier on the left hand side of the road a couple of times before firing back across into the path of a Nissan sedan and travelling towards the Bass Hwy,” Sgt Amos said.

“As a result of that — all of the people in those cars — the driver of the utility and the driver and front passenger of the Nissan suffered from some very, very serious injuries.

“The two people from the Nissan are critically ill and the front passenger is actually in the fight for her life at hospital.”

MCIU detective Sergeant Mark Amos said the front passenger of the Nissan was fighting for her life in hospital. Picture: Jack Colantuono

All three occupants were flown to hospital by air ambulances. Picture: Facebook/Loch CFA Fire and Rescue

Sgt Amos said police were keeping their “fingers crossed” for the patients to recover.

“And their injuries don’t end up taking another life off our roads,” he said.

A section of the South Gippsland Hwy near Kettles Rd remained closed with detours in place while police and other authorities continued to investigate the incident.

Police at the scene of the crash on Tuesday. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Police closed off the South Gippsland Hwy near Kettles Rd and traffic was redirected. Picture: Jack Colantuono

The crash comes just hours after a man was killed in a head-on collision in Nyora on Tuesday morning.

Anyone who witnessed the second crash, has dashcam footage or further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, submit a confidential report online or contact the Lang Lang police station on [phone].