Seven people have been rushed to hospital after three cars and a caravan collided on a busy highway in a horror Christmas holiday smash. 

Three ambulances, two firetrucks and multiple police cars raced to Sapphire Coast Drive on the NSW Sapphire Coast about 10am on Saturday. 

Paramedics treated seven people ​for minor injuries before transporting all of them to Bega Hospital, just under a six-hour drive from Sydney. 

It’s understood the patients include holidaymakers visiting the area for Christmas. 

Images from the scene show a ute towing a caravan, kayaks strapped to its roof, crumpled against metal barriers.

A red SUV appeared to have been rear-ended, while a second ute suffered severe front-end damage.

Both lanes of Sapphire Coast Drive remained closed for several hours as firefighters and tow trucks worked to clear wreckage from the road. 

Road authorities said Merimbula, a popular coastal resort town, is experiencing high volumes of tourist traffic during the Christmas and New Year period. 

Three cars – one towing a caravan – collided on Sapphire Coast Drive in southern NSW

The road remained closed as police cleared the wreckage from the crash

A ute towing a caravan was involved in the three-vehicle crash on Saturday

Three ambulances rushed to the scene where seven people were injured

Two utes – one towing a caravan – were involved in the crash on the NSW Sapphire Coast

A patient is seen being stretchered onto an ambulance after the three-car smash

Firefighters, police and paramedics were called to the scene on Saturday

Seven people were taken to hospital with minor injuries

‘Traffic diversions remain in place and inquiries are continuing,’ NSW Police said. 

Daily Mail has contacted NSW Ambulance regarding the incident.