Phillip Morris was killed when his Ford Fairlane and a Subaru sedan collided head-on on the New England Highway, about 6km north of Uralla on Monday afternoon.

The 68-year-old couldn’t be revived at the scene, but his passenger suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Tamworth hospital, where he remains.

Mr Morris’ family have paid tribute to the father, grandfather and husband, who hailed from Tamworth.

“He loved his family, children and grandchildren, and also loved his bowls,” Robert Turner told The Leader.

Mr Turner said Mr Morris was the type of man who would do anything for his family, and was devoted to his wife whom he loved “very much”.

“He would do anything he could to help anyone that asked for help,” he said.

“He could not be a more genuine man.”

An 82-year-old woman who was a passenger in the oncoming Subaru remains in Armidale hospital with serious injuries.

She suffered fractures and internal injuries in the crash, while an 83-year-old man behind the wheel suffered a soft tissue injury and was taken to Armidale hospital for further treatment.

The Northern Tablelands Crash Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash and a report will be prepared for the coroner.