She was driving in wet conditions when her Ford Territory collided with a Honda Civic at about 5.45pm in the northbound lanes just after the Saddleback Mountain Bridge.

The Territory caught fire and the woman died at the scene.

A four-year-old girl travelling with her suffered minor injuries and was airlifted to St George Hospital.

The 26-year-old male driver and sole occupant of the Civic was also airlifted to St George Hospital for further medical checks.

Nowra City Church’s pastor Peter Pilt, was travelling south at the time and witnessed the accident scene.

He was one of the people who stopped to help remove the child from the car.

“There was heavy rain and lots of thunder and lightning. The car was smouldering underneath,” he said.

“Eventually the guys managed to get the child out of the back of the vehicle.

“It was a very sad situation.”

A report about the accident is being prepared for the Coroner.