How Did Two Men End Up in a Critical Condition After a Head-On Crash at Kaarimba, Victoria?

Quick answer: A head-on collision between a Ford Ranger and a Mazda on the Barmah-Shepparton Road at Kaarimba, about 35 kilometres north-west of Shepparton in northern Victoria, left two men in a critical condition and a third man with serious injuries on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

Key facts

• What: Head-on collision between a Ford Ranger and a Mazda
• Where: Barmah-Shepparton Road at Kaarimba, about 35 kilometres north-west of Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
• When: Wednesday 21 October 2026, shortly before 7:30am
• Casualties: Two men with critical injuries, flown to Melbourne hospitals; one man with serious but non-life-threatening injuries
• Source: ABC News (ABC Goulburn Murray), 21 October 2026

What happened

Two men have been flown to hospital in a critical condition after a head-on collision in Victoria's north on Wednesday morning.

Emergency services were called to the Barmah-Shepparton Road at Kaarimba, about 35 kilometres north-west of Shepparton, shortly before 7:30am after reports that a Ford Ranger and a Mazda had collided.

Emergency response

On arrival, Country Fire Authority (CFA) crews found one person trapped in a vehicle and safely freed him.

Ambulance Victoria paramedics assessed the 39-year-old Mazda driver, from Euroa, for critical injuries. His male passenger, a 39-year-old Shepparton man, was also assessed for critical injuries. Both were flown to Melbourne hospitals.

The 31-year-old Nathalia man driving the Ford Ranger sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.

What happens next

Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) are investigating the circumstances of the crash.

Police are urging anyone with dash cam or CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

Frequently asked questions

How many people were injured in the Kaarimba crash?

Three. A 39-year-old Euroa man driving the Mazda and his 39-year-old Shepparton passenger were both assessed with critical injuries and flown to Melbourne hospitals. The 31-year-old Nathalia man driving the Ford Ranger sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Where exactly did the crash happen?

On the Barmah-Shepparton Road at Kaarimba, about 35 kilometres north-west of Shepparton in northern Victoria. Emergency services were called shortly before 7:30am on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

Who is investigating the crash?

Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Police have asked anyone with dash cam or CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers.