Three men were taken to hospital following a serious head-on collision between a Ford Ranger and a Mazda on Barmah-Shepparton Road near Kaarimba on Wednesday morning, October 21, 2026. Two of the men were airlifted to Melbourne hospitals with critical or life-threatening injuries, while a third was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Victoria Police said emergency services were called to the collision near Purdies Road at approximately 7:20 a.m. The crash occurred about 35 kilometres northwest of Shepparton, prompting a major emergency response and an investigation by specialist collision detectives.
Two men airlifted after crash
The driver of the Mazda, a 39-year-old man from Euroa, sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to hospital. His passenger, also a 39-year-old man from Shepparton, suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to Melbourne for treatment.
The driver of the Ford Ranger, a 31-year-old man from Nathalia, sustained serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Police said he was transported to hospital under police guard.
Authorities had not released the names of the men involved in the collision in the initial announcement.
Emergency crews rescue trapped occupants
Emergency services, including Country Fire Authority firefighters, State Emergency Service personnel, paramedics and police, attended the scene.
Two people were initially reported trapped in the same vehicle. One required hydraulic rescue equipment to be freed, while emergency personnel assisted the second person out of the wreckage. A third person involved in the crash was able to exit their vehicle without assistance.
The rescue operation required crews to work carefully around the damaged vehicles before the injured men could be assessed and transported for medical treatment.
Major collision investigation underway
Detectives from Victoria Police’s Major Collision Investigation Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Investigators will work to determine how the Ford Ranger and Mazda collided and whether any contributing factors can be established. Police have not publicly confirmed the cause of the crash, and no conclusions should be drawn before the investigation is complete.
Barmah-Shepparton Road was closed around the crash scene while emergency services responded and investigators began their work. The closure affected traffic moving through the Kaarimba area.
Police appeal for witnesses
Victoria Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam footage or holds relevant CCTV recordings to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report through its official website.
Investigation continues
The serious collision has left three men receiving hospital treatment, with two initially reported to be in critical or life-threatening condition. Authorities have not reported a fatality in the initial account.
As investigators continue to establish what happened, further details may be released as they become available. Motorists travelling in northern Victoria should check current traffic information before using Barmah-Shepparton Road.
The priority following the collision has been the treatment of the injured men, the investigation of the crash and the restoration of safe traffic conditions in the area.
