About 10.15am on Monday, October 7, four men, all Brazilian nationals, were travelling south on the highway in a grey Volkswagen Golf.

The vehicle left the eastern side of the roadway and struck a tree. Reports suggested the car swerved due to a kangaroo jumping into its path.

The 29-year-old driver died at the scene.

A 25-year-old man, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was critically injured and was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.

The two men seat in the back seats suffered minor injuries and were transported to the same hospital.