Police believe Kayla Green, described by friends as a fun-loving and bubbly teenager, was killed when the car she was driving crossed to the wrong side of the road just after 6am yesterday.

Her white Ford Telstar collided head-on with a Ford Falcon, driven by a 40-year-old man who also suffered serious injuries.

Three of Kayla's girlfriends aged 15, 17 and 18, who were travelling with her at the time, are in hospital with serious injuries.

Initially taken to Port Macquarie Hospital, one of the girls was yesterday flown to John Hunter Hospital's trauma unit in Newcastle.

Police said the teenager had been reported missing by her family in Griffith at about 4.30pm on Tuesday.

It was also reported yesterday that the families of the other teenagers were not aware their children had left the city.

Acting Griffith mayor Allan Bennett said such a tragedy would weigh heavily on the community.

"It is always devastating for people when they hear of a loss of life in such circumstances," Cr Bennett said.

"To have a young person struck down so young is hard, especially in a town where everybody knows somebody and if the story is true, it makes things even sadder for the family."

It is believed fatigue was a factor in the accident.

Kayla had recently quit Wade High School in Griffith and was temporarily working at the local McDonald's and loved to hang out with her friends.

McDonald's manager Belinda Stewart said she had been a much-loved colleague.

"Kayla was your typical teenager, always smiling and laughing," she said.

"She didn't get into trouble, she loved hanging out with her friends...lost too soon,"

Police investigations are continuing.