Updated, 5:52pm Monday: One person has died and two others are in a critical condition following a head-on crash at Old Beach this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the East Derwent Highway near Riviera Drive around 1:35pm, where a blue Nissan Qashqai and a silver Great Wall had collided.

The female front seat passenger of the Nissan was declared dead at the scene.

The woman driving the Nissan and the man driving the Great Wall were both taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition.

The East Derwent Highway was closed between Riviera Drive and Jetty Road while police investigated but has since reopened.

The two-vehicle crash occurred near Riviera Drive at Old Beach. Image / Pulse

Acting Inspector Amanda Hall said the crash was part of a devastating stretch on Tasmanian roads.

“Tragically, since Friday we’ve seen four people die and four sustain critical injuries in crashes on our roads,” she said.

“Every death on our roads is one too many and today further families have received the devastating news that their loved one has died or been critically injured in a crash.”

Police are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage of the crash or either vehicle beforehand to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Earlier: Three people are in a serious condition after a two-vehicle crash on the East Derwent Highway at Old Beach this afternoon.

Tasmania Police said emergency services were at the scene near Riviera Drive.

One of the vehicles is understood to have flipped in the crash.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area and obey traffic diversions in place, police said.

Police initially reported one person was in a serious condition. That figure has since risen to three.