Two people have died in a crash that one of the Hunter's senior first-responders has described as "gut-wrenching".
Six NSW Ambulance crews, police and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were called to the intersection of Port Stephens Drive and Salamander Way about 2pm on Wednesday after reports of a two-vehicle crash.
Paramedics administered CPR to a man and woman at the scene, but they could not be saved.
The Newcastle Herald understands the pair had been travelling together in one of the vehicles.
The male driver died at the scene and his female passenger was air-lifted to John Hunter Hospital where she died soon after arriving.
Police were in the process of formally identifying them on Wednesday afternoon.
A third person involved in the crash - the male driver of the other vehicle - was uninjured.
All three were trapped in their vehicles for a short period of time following the crash.
Police said the uninjured man was taken to Tomaree Hospital for mandatory testing.
NSW Ambulance duty operations manager Inspector Joel De Zuna said emergency crews arrived to an "extremely chaotic" scene.
"As a first responder, you are often confronted with a lot of atrocities and trauma, but responding to this job was just gut-wrenching," he said.
"Our paramedics put their training to the test and did everything they could for the patients involved. Everything we do is about being there for people and provide lifesaving treatment, so it is really tough when you are faced with outcomes like today."
Inspector De Zuna said having two people die in the same incident was devastating.
"There are loved ones not returning home tonight, so our hearts go out to the families involved," he said.
"We are urging those using our roads to please drive carefully - a split second decision can change not only your life but the lives of your passengers and other road users forever.
"We encourage everyone to learn basic CPR in case they come across a crash, or any incident."
Police had established a crime scene in the area around the intersection on Wednesday afternoon and the Crash Investigation Unit had begun its inquiries.
Anyone who witnessed or has information about the tragedy is being asked to contact police.
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