POLICE have urged caravanners to brush up on their driving skills after two caravan crashes within days.

A couple in their 60s was lucky to escape serious injuries when their rig overturned on the Great Western Highway near Bathurst in NSW.

Although shaken, the Valley Heights caravanners clambered from their badly damaged Holden Statesman virtually unscathed after the lunchtime drama.

It is understood they were heading for Dubbo when their single-axle caravan suddenly began swaying, causing the driver to lose control of the tow vehicle. Horrified motorists swerved and braked to avoid the out-of-control rig.

Witnesses told police the caravan was "swaying violently" before the accident.

Sergeant Scott Russell said the accident reinforced the need for caravanners to take extra care and advised inexperienced drivers to take a caravan towing course before hitting the road.

"It's important to know what to do when your caravan sways," he added.

Meanwhile, two travellers were trapped when two caravans were involved in a smash just days later in NSW.

Police believe the accident happened as the driver of one rig attempted to overtake another on the New England Highway, about 30km south of Toowoomba in Queensland.

One rig rolled several times, trapping a couple - believed to be from Victoria  - in their tow vehicle.

The caravanners, and another from a third vehicle, were taken to hospital.

Witnesses said one of the caravans detached from its tow vehicle and somersaulted over one of the other cars involved.

Police and Fire and Rescue officers said it was a miracle no one was killed in the accident.

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