A woman has died and two other people are in a critical condition after a head-on car crash near Berry on the South Coast this morning.
The collision happened on Gerroa Road, north of Shoalhaven Heads, just after 10am.
A rear passenger in a car carrying three women from Sydney died instantly and the two other occupants, both elderly women, suffered chest and leg injuries. They were in critical conditions.
A solo driver from the Berry area in the second car was also airlifted to hospital in a stable condition with leg injuries.
Police believe the single-occupant car veered to the wrong side of the road.
Inspector Ray Stynes from Nowra police said it was a confronting scene for emergency services.
"Let me say it was very traumatic," Mr Stynes said.
"Crash investigators will need to process the scene now," he said.
Three helicopters called in
Paramedic Brad Stephens said three helicopters were called to a nearby oval to transport the patients to Sydney hospitals.
"All the patients were able to talk to us," he said.
"Two elderly women are in a critical condition with chest and leg injuries.
"We don't normally have three helicopters show up, but it was deemed early on it was required and it gets them to a Sydney hospital quicker."
A caution for holidaymakers
Inspector Styne said it was a warning to other road users coming into school holidays to take breaks, drive to their abilities and be safe on the road.
"With COVID-19 restrictions meaning people are not able to travel like they normally would, more people will be travelling to the South Coast," he said.
"Fatigue and speed are critical.
"Be aware of your surroundings."
