An emergency rescue operation is underway to save two people feared dead after their car crashed into a creek.
The SUV crashed on the Carwal Creek Bridge, south of Mungindi, near the New South Wales-Queensland border, at about 1.15am on Sunday.
Friends traveling in another vehicle noticed that the van was no longer following them and turned back to find the scene of the accident.
They were joined by a local homeowner who helped a woman, believed to be in her 20s, out of the vehicle.
Emergency services airlifted her to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The other two passengers, apparently a man and a woman, could not be rescued.
New South Wales Police fear they both died after the vehicle quickly became submerged.
Police divers and accident investigators travelled to the scene to join local police, ambulance and fire crews.
An urgent rescue mission is underway to try to locate and recover two people feared dead after a car crashed into a rural stream and quickly submerged (file image)
Commuters have been urged to avoid Morialta Road as it will remain closed in both directions while police continue investigations into the crash.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.