Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have taken over looking into the cause of an accident near Hexham on Sunday evening that claimed the life of one man.

It’s believed two cars travelling in opposite directions have collided head-on on the Hamilton Highway, about four kilometres west of Mortlake about 6.20pm. 

The driver and sole occupant of one vehicle died at the scene. 

The female driver of the other car was airlifted to a hospital with life threatening injuries. 

Her male passenger was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives were at the accident scene overnight to investigate the cause of the collision.

Police urged anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Sunday: 9.15pm

A man has died in a head-on crash near Mortlake.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen confirmed the single occupant of one of the cars involved died at the scene.

A passenger in the second vehicle, a woman in her 60s, was trapped in the vehicle and had to be freed by SES crews. She was taken to a Melbourne hospital in a critical condition. 

The driver of the second vehicle, a man also in his 60s has been taken to Warrnambool hospital with chest injuries. He is in a serious but stable condition.

Sunday: 7.20pm

Emergency services are on the scene of a fatal car crash near Mortlake.

The two-car collision occurred on the Hamilton Highway, five kilometres north-west of Mortlake between Mortlake and Hexham.

The accident happened at about 6:25pm Sunday night.

Warrnambool Police Senior Sergeant David McDonald said the driver of one vehicle had died at the scene and the driver of the second car sustained injuries.

VicRoads has asked road users to seek alternative routes between Caramut and Mortlake.