The two-car accident occurred just before 8.30am on the Mitchell Highway, at its intersection with Dunkeld Road, about 11 kilometres west of Bathurst.

Ambulance Service of NSW Inspector Rhys Dive  said four people were injured in the collision.

A 29-year-old woman travelling on her own in a mid-size car was treated for spinal and leg injuries and transported to Orange hospital by ambulance.

Three men, aged 65, 66 and 75, who were travelling in a Toyota Corolla, were also injured.

A passenger in the back seat of the Corolla received spinal and chest injuries and was flown by rescue helicopter to Orange hospital. The front seat passenger received chest injuries and had his thumb severed. It was recovered at the scene.

The 66-year-old driver received minor injuries.

The driver and front seat passenger were transported to Orange hospital by road ambulance.

Inspector Dive said paramedics came from Bathurst, Blayney and Orange to treat the injured people.

“They were very fortunate that both cars were fitted with safety devices and they were all wearing seatbelts,” he said.

Late yesterday, a Western NSW Local Health District spokesperson said the  woman was being prepared to be airlifted to Sydney for treatment.

The 65 and 75-year-old passengers remained in Orange hospital’s high dependency unit late yesterday, while the 66-year-old driver was discharged.

Bathurst Police could not be contacted for comment yesterday on the cause of the accident, or if any charges would be laid.

The collision left the Mitchell Highway blocked for hours as the wreckage was cleared and the road crash investigation unit surveyed the scene.