Six have been injured – one critically – following a two car smash on Nelson Bay Road on Thursday afternoon.
As of 5:30pm, the road is currently closed in both directions between Salt Ash and Bobs Farm, with diversions via Marsh Road after a Subaru sedan and Honda SUV collided head on.
A woman in her 70s in the SUV was trapped for some time before being airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
The five others – two men and two pre-school aged children – were taken by road to the John Hunter for assessment.
Diversions are currently in place and motorists are urged to avoid the area.