Four killed in Pacific Highway car crash near Ballina (ABC)

ABC Four people died after their car hit a tree by the Pacific Highway north of Ballina.

Four people have died after their car smashed into a tree in northern New South Wales.

Police said the southbound sedan was overtaking a truck when it veered off the Pacific Highway north of Ballina.

Senior-Sergeant Chad George said two males and two females in the car died at the scene.

"It appears at this stage they were overtaking," he said.

"As a result, they have lost control and left the roadway and collided with a tree."

He declined to comment on their ages.

"They haven't been identified at this stage," he said.

The accident occurred near the corner of Old Byron Bay Road and Watsons Lane at Newrybar, where an 80kmph speed limit was in place because of roadworks and overtaking was prohibited.

"It's a single lane in each direction and it's divided by unbroken lines," Senior-Sergeant George George said.

He said the driver of the truck that was being overtaken had been interviewed by police.

"We also seek any information from other members of the public who may have seen the silver sedan prior to the collision," he said.

"This brings the [road toll] for the Richmond and Tweed-Byron commands to 24 deaths this year, which is now up from the same period last year."

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