In an incident which claimed three lives, police and emergency services responded to a two-car crash on the Princes Highway at Bendalong, north of Ulladulla, about 10.45am yesterday (Tuesday, December 26).

Three people died at the scene and two women were airlifted to hospital in a critical condition, after the head-on crash which incinerated both vehicles. Due to the severity of the crash, the deceased have not yet been formally identified.

Another three people were also killed on country roads in Wauchope, Peak Hill and Taree.

Related:

►A 63-year-old man was killed when his car left the road at Pappinbarra, near Port Macquarie, and he was ejected from the vehicle.

►A 25-year-old woman was killed when the Holden SUV she was driving, left the road at Glenthorne, near Taree and hit a tree.

►A 42-year-old man was also killed in Sydney’s west when the Ford Falcon he was driving crashed into the rear of a parked semi-trailer at Emu Plains.

►A 23-year-old woman passenger was killed on the Newell Highway at Peak Hill, north of Parkes, when she fell out of a Jeep and hit a road sign.

The seven people killed brings the number of lives lost during Operation Safe Arrival 2017 to 21.

The state’s Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said people need to consider safety as their number one priority when travelling the state’s roads these holidays.

“There is nothing worse for any police officer than to knock on a door to tell someone their loved one has died,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

“Many of these incidents are totally preventable if people would just slow down, rest and not be distracted during their trip.”