Tasmania Police Sergeant Scott McKinnell said the cars were travelling on the West Tamar Highway at Loira about 4.20pm when one of the cars crossed onto the wrong side of the road.

Upon arrival, emergency services found a man trapped in each of the two cars.

“The vehicle that crossed onto the wrong side of the road was a silver Land Cruiser ute that was travelling south, and it collided head-on with a white Toyota Hilux that was travelling north,” Sergeant McKinnell said.

“The scene was horrific,” he said.

Sergeant McKinnell said civilian bystanders did “an outstanding job” administering first aid to the critically injured men prior to emergency services arriving.

The driver of the Hilux was declared dead at the scene.

Paramedics airlifted the other man, a 59-year-old from West Launceston, to the Launceston General Hospital in a serious condition. 

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John Dangerfield lives at Loira and was one of the first responders at the scene.

“There was a significant explosion so, with something half in my mouth, I took off down the drive,” he said.

“The vehicle travelling south was upside down and we were able to move seats to gain access to the driver and he was supported to breathe.”

Mr Dangerfield found a blanket in nearby car and wrapped it around the Hilux driver to “help with shock”.