UPDATE
SPECIALIST crash investigators are trying to piece together the moments before a horrific accident near Walcha that claimed two lives and saw two others airlifted to hospital.
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Emergency services were confronted with what’s been described as absolute carnage on the Oxley Highway near Yarrowitch on Thursday afternoon, after a car towing a caravan rolled about 1.15pm.
Rescuers including police, paramedics and the VRA worked frantically to free a woman trapped in the wreckage, which tragically claimed two other lives.
The 38-year-old woman suffered head and spinal injuries and a suspected fractured arm, a spokesperson for Ambulance NSW said.
She was treated at the scene by paramedics, and airlifted to Tamworth hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in a stable condition.
The spokesperson said a 58-year-old man also suffered minor injuries in the crash and was also flown to the same hospital in a stable condition by a second Westpac rescue chopper.
Police were remaining tightlipped on the investigation but confirmed the driver was one of those injured and flown to hospital.
It’s understood the four were travelling in the one car when the crash occurred, about 45km from Walcha.
Crash investigators from Tamworth were deployed to the site, and are expected to spend several hours combing the scene and marking out the road as they piece together what led to the deadly crash.
The wreckage of the vehicle is also expected to be towed from the scene on Thursday night to a police holding to undergo a mechanical examination.
The highway is also likely to remain closed well into the night. Motorists are being diverted via the Pacific Highway, Waterfall Way and New England Highway, creating four-hour detours.
Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
EARLIER
Emergency workers from several agencies are at the scene of a double fatality near Walcha, trying to free a third person from the wrecked vehicle.
After the crash on the Oxley Highway at Yarrowitch, about 45km east of Walcha, the road is expected to stay closed in both directions for a number of hours.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Just after 1.15pm, emergency services were called to the scene, with reports that a vehicle towing a caravan had rolled.
Unfortunately, two of the occupants died at the scene.
Officers from Oxley Police District, Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance and a Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter are working to free the third occupant.
aMotorists are urged to check www.livetraffic.com for the latest updates.
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