Four people have been taken to John Hunter Hospital, including one via the Westpac helicopter, after a head-on collision at Bellbird, near Cessnock on Tuesday.
Police said emergency services were called to Wollombi Road shortly before 11am after a Holden Barina heading west crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided with a Holden Rodeo.
The female driver of the Barina was trapped in the car and had to be extricated, police said. She was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition after sustaining multiple injuries.
The three occupants of the Rodeo, two men in their 20s and a teenage girl, were taken to John Hunter via ambulance.
A police spokesperson said inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash were ongoing.
Any witnesses are urged to contact police.
