Two children have been hospitalised following a serious crash near Goulburn this afternoon.

About 2pm (Saturday 26 December 2015), a Mitsubishi dual-cab utility was travelling along the Hume Highway at Yarra, when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree.

Two boys aged 9 and 11, who were travelling in the back seats, were injured in the crash.

They were treated by Ambulance Paramedics at the scene, before being airlifted to Canberra Hospital – both in a critical condition.

The boys’ 33-year-old mother, who was driving at the time, was taken to Goulburn Base Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing. Their father, who was in the front passenger’s seat, was not injured.

Police from The Hume Local Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Officers are reminding motorists to take additional care, with extra holiday traffic and difficult conditions currently being experienced on the state’s roads.

As part of Operation Arrive Alive, double demerit points will apply for speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet use. Double demerits will apply from 24 December 2015 to January 3 2016 and from 22 January 2016 to 26 January 2016 inclusive.