Federal opposition leader, Bill Shortens, media stop at Cessnock Road, Testers Hollow was cut short on Thursday when two cars collided head on as the motorcade was pulling off to the side of the road.
Media, including Fairfax journalist Belinda-Jane Davis were at the scene and witnessed the crash. Read the account of what happened below.
UPDATE 2.20PM
A spokesman for Mr Shorten has confirmed he will not be attending any other events today and his focus was the occupants of both vehicles.
"His first concern is for the health and safety and wellbeing of the people involved," the spokesman said.
Labor candidate for Paterson Meryl Swanson who was also at the scene will not be making a comment about the accident at this stage.
UPDATE 2.18PM
According to the police report from the scene the blue Nissan Pulsar and a white Mitsubishi Magna collided head-on. Both female drivers were trapped in their vehicles for a short time before being released by emergency rescue crew.
The 33-year-old female driver of the Mitsubishi and her 2-year-old son were assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics and were found to be uninjured. She was breath-tested at the scene with a negative result.
The 21-year-old female driver of the Nissan was then taken by NSW Ambulance Paramedics to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition with head injuries.
Cessnock Road is blocked in both directions and local traffic diversions are in place.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and visit www.livetraffic.com for more information, as the road is expected to be closed for some time.
UPDATE 1.50PM
Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten has now left the scene of an accident at Testers Hollow which occurred as he arrived just after midday for an organised press conference.
Emergency services remain on scene.
UPDATE 1.40PM
Paramedics have managed to free the woman who was trapped in her car after the head-on collision at testers Hollow. The accident occurred as federal opposition leader Bill Shorten arrived at Testers Hollow on Thursday.
The woman is being treated by paramedics at the scene and is expected to be taken to hospital. A young child and his mother who were in the other car involved in the accident remain at the scene. The two are sitting inside Mr Shortens car and the childs car seat is being moved to his vehicle.
PREVIOUS REPORT
A head-on collision has occurred as federal opposition leader Bill Shorten arrived at Testers Hollow on Thursday.
A woman is trapped in a blue sedan, which was headed towards Maitland.
The occupants of the other vehicle are out of the car.
Mr Shorten's car was pulling up when the accident occurred.
A woman in her mid-20s has sustained minor facial injuries and pain in the knee, Ambulance NSW has confirmed.
Two other people injured will not be taken to hospital.
The Opposition leader took a woman and her child, who were in the other car, to safety after the Cessnock Road accident shortly before 1pm.
Paramedics are assessing the woman, who has injuries under her arm.
Mr Shorten has not left her side since the accident occurred, offering consolation.
A small pile of books was being used to occupy the child as emergency services continue their work to free the other woman.
Meryl Swanson and Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent also at the scene
A planned press conference was cancelled and Mr Shorten will no longer take a planned walk through Maitland mall.
A nurse driving behind the vehicles involved in the accident pulled over to help.
Paramedics are trying to free the woman who remains trapped.
Traffic is blocked in both directions.
Police are at the scene.
