Police are appealing for public assistance to a traffic crash that occurred on the Captain Cook Highway, near Wangetti, at around 1.00am this morning.

A silver 2020 Hyundai Kona was travelling from Port Douglas to Cairns when it crashed, causing the highway to be closed for several hours in both directions.

A 31-year-old Hope Island woman was taken to the Cairns Hospital in a critical condition with facial, pelvic and leg injuries, while a 54-year-old Palm Cove man received injuries to his arm.

Police are seeking assistance from anyone travelling in the area around 12.30am – 1.00am who witnessed the vehicle or captured footage of the vehicle on dashcam to contact police.

Anyone with information in relation to the vehicle or the driver at the time, please contact police and quote QP2200174639.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting