P-plate found near site of horrific crash that claimed four lives in central Victoria

Four young men have died in a car crash in central Victoria, after their car careered off the road and went airborne before slamming into a tree.

Victoria Police said the single-vehicle crash took place not long after 6.45am this morning on the Northern Highway, near Halpin Road in Pyalong, and a P-Plate had been found near the crash site.

The bodies have not been identified and it was not clear whether it was a P-plate driver at the wheel.

"Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the crash," a spokeswoman said.

Pictures from the scene showed the car nearly split into two pieces and leaning up against a gum tree.

It’s believed the men died instantly and they were all deceased as soon as emergency services arrived.

The fatal crash brings this year's provisional state road toll to 22, one more than at the same time last year.