12.10pm: A woman and child have been killed in a horrific road crash on the Princes Highway at Berry.
The child was travelling in the backseat of a car that collided with a semitrailer near Tindalls Lane, north of the township, about 11.45am.
The car was near-flattened in the collision.
Another child, believed aged 10-12, was travelling in the front seat and has survived the crash. The child is semi-conscious and remains trapped by the wreckage.
The highway is closed in both directions. Motorists are using Tindalls Lane as an alternative.
An ambulance rescue chopper is to collect the injured child from a landing spot south of the crash site.
12.45pm: The injured child has been freed from the wreckage and is being worked on by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The truck involved has come to rest across the highway.
The car has come to rest in the southbound lane.
The crash occurred on a winding, rising roadway, on a recently upgraded section of the highway.
The injured child is to be airlifted to Prince of Wales Hospital.
A large amount of oil is on the roadway.
1.15pm: NSW Police have confirmed the surviving child’s injuries are serious.
The truck driver involved is unhurt.
Police say a crime scene has been established on the roadway and motorists are urged to avoid the area.
1.30pm: A chopper carrying the injured child has departed Berry. The child has suffered a head injury and multiple fractures.
DIVERSIONS:
The highway will be closed for some time.
Northbound Tannery Road, Beach Road, Crooked River Road to Gerringong, then Fern Street and back on the highway.
Southbound is in reverse, although at Gerringong Belinda Street should be used instead of Fern Street.
The diversion is suitable for trucks, but not B-doubles, which are being parked on site.
More to come.
