A man has died and a woman was seriously injured in a crash involving three vehicles on a highway in the Upper Hunter Region of New South Wales.
Two cars initially collided on the New England Hwy in Liddell about midnight on Wednesday before a truck then smashed into them.
The male driver of one of the cars died at the scene.
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He has not yet been formally identified.
The driver of the other car, a 22-year-old woman, was trapped inside the vehicle for a short time but freed by Fire and Rescue NSW.
She was treated at the scene before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.
The male truck driver, believed to be aged in his 40s, was not injured but taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for mandatory testing.
“A crime scene has been established, and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced,” NSW Police said.
The New England Hwy is closed in both directions near Pikes Gully Rd at Liddell.
Traffic diversions are in place.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.