An 18-year-old man has suffered critical injuries after crashing his car at Freemans Waterhole, then being hit by a second car on the M1 early this morning.

About 2.30am (Tuesday 2 February 2016), a Nissan X-Trail being driven north on the M1 at Freemans Waterhole, about 300 meters north of the Freemans Drive overpass, lost control and landed on its roof.

The driver of the vehicle managed to free himself from the car and was standing on the road when he was hit by a Mercedes Van also travelling north on the M1.

The 18-year-old man suffered critical injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

The driver of the Mercedes was not injured and was taken to Wyong Hospital for mandatory testing

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command, together with officers from the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit will conduct a full investigation.

The M1 is closed northbound at the Cessnock turnoff and diversions are in place.