Kerang Police are still investigating why the car slammed into a tree, but early reports indicate the driver tried to negotiate a bend but lost control.

One passenger remains in a critical condition.

“It is believed that the driver was travelling west on Arundell Street when his car left the road,” a police spokeswoman said.

The accident happened about 11.30pm, and police say the initial point of impact was the rear of the driver’s side door.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said an 18-year-old male passenger was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with head injuries.

A spokeswoman from the hospital said the teen was in a critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit yesterday.

Four other teenagers, including the driver, were transported to the Bendigo Base Hospital with varying degrees of injury.

An 18-year-old suffered facial injuries, a 19-year-old was transported with neck pain, and an 18-year-old and 19-year-old suffered rib injuries. No other cars were involved in the accident.