A senior police officer has been killed in a horror head-on crash that claimed the life of a second driver.
The fatal collision occurred at about 10pm on Friday in the regional Victorian town of Redxjmtzyw Cliffs, about 16km south of Mildura.
Police say the crash took place when a driver lost control of his ute and collided with an unmarked police car travelling in the opposite direction.
A third car was also involved in the crash.
The female senior constable died at the scene while her colleague was flown to hospital in a critical condition. He remains there, fighting for his life.
The male ute driver also died at the scene while two young children who were passengers in the vehicle were taken to hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the third car and their child passenger were also taken to hospital for assessment after sustaining minor injuries.
Crash investigators are still working to determine the exact circumstances.
The road was closed overnight as detectives processed the scene and was expected to remain shut for some time.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton will address the media about the incident on Saturday.
Anyone who witnessed the crash, or who has dashcam footage, is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
