Three people were killed in a horror crash on the Princes Highway at Bendalong, south of Sussex Inlet, on Tuesday. Two people were critically injured and remain in hospital.

Witnesses to the crash pulled the two victims from one of the vehicles, but were not able to save three others who were inside two separate vehicles when they burst into flames, a police spokeswoman said.

Detective Inspector Dave Cockram from Shoalhaven Local Area Command commended the efforts of emergency service workers who responded.

“Police have been confronted with a very serious accident … both vehicles caught alight and both vehicles were totally destroyed,” Det Insp Cockram said.

“This is a very serious crash, it’s something neither the community nor the police want to see on our roads. We need to take the time and be patient driving.”

Read more: Dozens of needles found dumped near Bellambi walkway on Christmas Eve

Emergency services were called to the scene 400 metres north of the Bendalong Road turn-off about 10.45am on Boxing Day to reports of a head-on collision between two cars, an ambulance spokesman said. One of the cars was towing a caravan.

Witnesses to the crash were able to pull two victims from one of the vehicles though were not able to save three others who were still inside when both vehicles burst into flames.

Paramedics treated two women for multiple serious injuries including possible head injuries. One woman was airlifted to Liverpool Hospital, and the second woman was airlifted to St George Hospital.

The Princes Highway was closed for nearly four hours to all traffic north and southbound causing lengthy delays. The cause of the crash is still yet to be determined.

Police officers will remain out in force until mid-January and targeting drivers who speed, drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, don’t wear seatbelts or use their phones behind the wheel.

As of Tuesday more than 395,380 breath tests were conducted across NSW with thousands of fines issued.

A tip off lead Lake Illawarra Police to pull over a 68-year-old Mount Saint Thomas woman around 3:30pm Christmas Eve.

The woman was driving along the Princes Highway at Kiama Height and returned a positive breath test. She was arrested and take to Lake Illawarra police station where she allegedly returned a reading of 0.167 – she was charged and her licence suspended.

In Mittagong, a 37-year-old woman was stopped by Highway Patrol officers on Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls, around 11:20am Saturday. She was allegedly detected driving at 101km/h in a 60km/h speed zone and had her licence suspended.

While an 18-year-old P-Plater lost his licence for allegedly driving a Mitsubishi Lancer at 132 kmph in a 70km zone around 11pm on December 22. When police activated their warning devices the man allegedly sped off at “dangerously” high speeds, they said, and a pursuit ensued.