Sydney, Sept. 5 -- Two women have died after being struck by a car on a freeway in Melbourne's north on Thursday night while trying to assist an injured animal.

Emergency services were called to reports that two women had been hit by a car on the freeway in Craigieburn, 25 km north of central Melbourne, just after 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

One of the women, aged 30, died at the scene.

The second, also 30, was airlifted to hospital but died a short time later.

A police statement said that it is believed the two women had exited their own vehicle to assist an injured animal before they were struck. Local media reported that the animal was a kangaroo.

The driver of the vehicle that struck them remained at the scene and assisted police.

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