Lithgow crash: Two dead and four children fighting for their lives in a devastating five-car crash on the Great Western Highway near the Blue Mountains, NSW

Two people are dead and four children are fighting for their lives after a horrific five-car crash on a major highway west of Sydney.

The multi-vehicle collision happened on the Great Western Highway at Wallerawang, about 15km north of Lithgow, shortly before 1pm on Friday.

Two died immediately in the crash, while fifteen others – including eight children – were treated by paramedics for injuries ranging from minor to critical.

Five patients are seriously injured, including four children.

Many of the fatal accident victims were traveling or returning from holidays for the Christmas and New Year period.

Images from the scene show more than a dozen ambulance vehicles, with paramedics and SES officers helping the injured.

Several vehicles were crumpled wrecks with debris scattered across the 70 mph stretch of highway, including suitcases, pillows and dirt bikes.

The impact of the crash was so powerful that a minivan was completely destroyed, while another vehicle ended up in the ditch.

Rescue helicopters took some injured people to Westmead Hospital in Sydney’s west.

Three girls were flown to Westmead Children’s Hospital, including a nine-year-old with serious head and chest injuries, a 15-year-old teenager with abdominal injuries and an 11-year-old with abdominal and head injuries.

Patients with less serious injuries were transported by ambulance to hospitals in Orange and Sydney.

Police have cordoned off a crime scene, which is expected to remain in place for some time.

The Great Western Highway was closed in both directions until late into the night and motorists were urged to avoid the area.

Emergency workers arrived at confrontational scenes, including two people ‘severely trapped’ in the wreckage of their vehicles.

“From a police perspective it was an important scene,” Detective Chief Inspector Paul Glinn of NSW Police Highway Traffic Command told reporters.

“There was one eastbound lane and two westbound lanes. It appears a vehicle crossed over to the wrong side of the road.”

Firefighters arrived at ‘a confronting scene of carnage’.

“Crews with the assistance of ambulances and volunteer associations had to make crucial decisions when assessing patients,” NSW Fire and Rescue Chief Phil Vaiciurgis said.

‘We had to carry out two complex rescues of serious crush injuries, provide fire protection and assist police and ambulance to make the accident scene safe.’

Friday’s tragedy brings the death toll in NSW to 352 in 2023 – 82 more than last year.

The tragedy has rocked the region west of the Blue Mountains.

“It is shocking news and everyone sends their condolences to the families and loved ones involved in this serious accident,” Bathurst MP Paul Toole said. ABC news.

‘It has a far-reaching effect in our local communities.

“I know the police have not identified those involved in the incident, but we know it will cause a lot of grief and loss.”

The tragedy prompted Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill to urge motorists to be careful on the roads over the festive period.

“At this time of year, and in tourist areas like ours, there can be some frustration on the roads, with sporadic traffic and people not necessarily knowing where they are going,” he wrote.

“Please drive at or below the speed limit and take it slow. We want people to be home and safe at the end of the summer holidays.’

Chief Inspector Glinn added: “There’s a lot of people on holiday, there’s a lot of people traveling by road, so we’re just reminding people to drive according to the conditions and slow down,” he said.

“Every time you get behind the wheel you have to make good decisions and ultimately you are responsible for what happens to ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers.”

The Great Western Highway was expected to remain closed until 10pm on Friday evening, approximately 2km west of Barton Avenue.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use Barton Ave, Pipers Flat Rd and Range Rd as alternative routes.

Detectives are calling on anyone who has information or dashcam footage to contact the police.