The crash was one of three incidents on Up River Road. A driver was caught speeding and then another speeding and drink-driving.

The trapped driver, 37, was travelling west towards Corowa near Saint Leonards Road in a blue Holden Commodore with his children just after 12.30pm.

Police said it appeared he had veered across the road and hit the on-coming car.

The man’s children, aged 11, 10 and 6, who were not injured, were taken to Corowa hospital for observation.

Wahgunyah and Carlyle CFA units, Corowa Volunteer Rescue Association and highway patrol from Rutherglen, Wodonga and Corowa worked to free the driver, who had leg and feet injuries.

The road was closed for about three hours.

The man was then flown to Canberra with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the 4WD, a Barnawartha woman in her late 40s, was rushed to Albury hospital but was discharged later that afternoon.

Police said their investigation would continue for some time.

On the same stretch of road, a Wodonga man was booked for speeding about 9.30pm.

The man, 29, was clocked at 133km/h in an unregistered car. Police handed him two penalty notices.

And to the shock of police, just 10 minutes later another man was caught drink-driving at a speed of 128km/h.

Sgt Brian Curran, of Rutherglen, said the Brocklesby man, who had his 10-year-old son as a passenger, had a blood-alcohol reading of 0.119 when tested at the police station.

Sgt Curran said the man was driving home after drinking beer at a friend’s house in Wodonga.

“It’s just disappointing that, despite all the messages the police have put out and the fact there are so many police on the road, that people continue to behave in such an irresponsible manner,” Sgt Curran said.

“They are not only putting their lives at risks, but those of other peoples as well, including young children.”

Victoria Police yesterday again urged all drivers to take a few extra minutes this holiday season to ensure they arrived safely at their destination.