State Emergency Services controller Josh Osborne was on the scene.

“We responded with two crews and worked with Fire and Rescue and ambulance,” Mr Osborne said.

“We used our rescue tools to extricate them from the cars, two of them were in a very serious way and were airlifted to hospital.”

Mr Osborne said he wasn’t sure how long it took to remove the trapped people from the vehicles, but that the crews worked as quickly as they could.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Crash Investigation Services and RMS were called to the crash near Hoys Road shortly after 10am on Monday.

Firefighters and ambulance were also on scene to mitigate the damage.

Armidale police station Inspector Chris McKinnon said four people were injured in the incident.

“The two people in the most serious conditions were airlifted to John Hunter Hospital for treatment,” he said.

“The other two people were taken to Armidale Hospital.”

A 13-year-old girl and her mother are reportedly in a critical condition and were the two flown by the rescue helicopter to the Newcastle-based hospital. 

Amidale police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision. 

The New England Highway was closed in both directions between Puddledock Road and Hoys Road in Armidale.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Armidale police on 6771 0699.