CRASH investigators are trying to piece together an horrific accident that has claimed the life of a woman and her unborn child.
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Emergency services tried desperately to save the 20-year-old woman, who was 32 weeks pregnant, after the crash on Warialda Road at Inverell, late on Sunday night.
The woman was a passenger in a Holden Commodore when it lost control just before 10.30pm.
Police said the Commodore collided with a Mazda Bravo and then struck a powerpole.
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Both the driver, a 23-year-old woman, and the pregnant female passenger were seriously injured.
Paramedics and police rushed to the scene and treated the women, before tasking the Westpac Rescue Helicopter from Tamworth.
The women were transported via ambulance to Inverell Airport to meet the chopper's critical care medical team, but the 20-year-old woman and her unborn baby died before she could be airlifted.
The 23-year-old woman was then flown to Tamworth hospital for treatment of head and shoulder injuries. She was believed to be in a stable condition.
Police said the driver of the Mazda Bravo ute, a 19-year-old man, and his female passenger, escaped with minor injuries. He was taken to Inverell hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers setup a crime scene and police from the Crash Investigation Unit in Tamworth were deployed to the site, which remained closed throughout the night.
Investigators have examined the road as well as the wrecks, which will form part of the investigation as they try and determine what happened in the moments before the two cars collided.
The Gwydir Highway remains closed on Monday morning as investigations continue.
The RMS said diversions were in place for motorists via Bannockburn and Jardine roads, which was suitable for all vehicles, including B-doubles.
A report will now be prepared for the coroner.