A crash north of Melbourne claimed the life of one man Tuesday, while three others fight for survival.

A small hatchback and a truck were involved in the crash, which happened around 2 p.m. in Kilmore at the intersection of the Northern Highway and the Broadford-Kilmore Rd.

Four young men were in the hatchback when it was crushed by the truck.

A police spokeswoman said the driver died at the scene while the emergency crew worked to free the three other men from the wreckage. Authorities estimate the driver to be around 20 years old and the other passengers 17 and 18.

One of the men was trapped in the car for up to half an hour.

Paramedics treated the men at the scene before two helicopters flew them to hospital in critical conditions.

The truck driver was uninjured.

Names of the victims were not yet available, and police has yet to determine the cause of the crash.