'Accelerating, braking, going off the side of the road': NSW Police describe erratic actions of driver before fatal crash with bus

A man has died and seven people are in hospital after a car collided with a bus carrying 26 passengers, in a horrific crash in NSW's Central West this morning.

Assistant Commissioner Rod Smith described the erratic movements of the car's driver before the crash that killed him.

"The vehicle was accelerating, braking, going off the side of the road, and then onto the incorrect side of the road," Smith said.

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It's alleged officers were driving to a domestic incident south west of Dubbo but saw a Mazda being fleeing from that location.

Police identified the driver from the Mitchell Highway crash as "being involved in the domestic" incident.

Officers attempted to pull the 32-year-old driver over but he failed to stop about 9am.

A pursuit was initiated for a short time but was "terminated due to safety concerns".

Smith said officers were attempting to find other ways to stop him before the crash at 9.15am, which occurred one kilometre east of the Mitchell Highway and Eulomogo Road intersection.

"That vehicle then crossed to the other side of the road and collided head on with a bus travelling in the other direction," Smith said.

"The 55-year-old woman that was driving the bus took evasive action and probably saved the lives of a lot of people.

"We are lucky that nobody else was seriously injured or killed."

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The 32-year-old driver of the Mazda was killed on impact. He is yet to be formally identified.

Seven passengers aged between 12 and 84 were taken to Dubbo Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

The bus driver has been taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Smith said it was the manner of driving, not speed, that caused the police chase to be terminated.

He said it was too early to say what the nature of the domestic incident was.

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Premier Chris Minns confirmed that police are investigating the circumstances around the crash.

"There's been a major traffic incident just outside Dubbo," Minns said.

"Emergency service personnel are on the scene, as are crash investigation officers

"Paramedics have been able to dispatch those that needed to go to hospital, to hospital."

Support is available from the Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.

If you are in immediate danger call triple zero (000).