The accident occurred in a southbound lane between Gray Street and Nicholson Road, about 12.35 pm Wednesday.

It is understood a 23-year-old woman driving north in a Mitsubishi crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided with an elderly couple’s SUV.

The SUV had almost come to a complete stop when the cars collided, according to initial reports.

Passers-by helped the Mitsubishi driver out of the car and onto the footpath. 

She was treated for an eye injury, and seatbelt injuries, and transported to Wollongong Hospital in a stable condition.

Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Bulli and Thirroul attended, and used the jaws of life to pull the doors off the elderly couple’s car, as they were confined by their injuries. 

The male driver, 72, suffered chest injuries and seatbelt injuries. NSW Ambulance paramedics took spinal precautions when removing him from the car.

His wife, 75, suffered a possible fractured wrist and a possible fractured leg. 

Both were taken to Wollongong Hospital where he remains in a stable condition and she in a serious but stable condition.

The impact of the crash caused airbags in both cars to deploy.

A large amount of car fluid and debris spilled onto the road. 

All southbound traffic was diverted onto Nicholson Road, and one northbound lane of the highway was closed as emergency services worked to clear the crash.

Diversions remain in place as at 3.30pm Wednesday, as the Crash Investigation Unit continues work at the site.