A woman has been critically injured when two cars smashed into an office building in Perth’s central business district, causing traffic havoc during peak hour on Monday morning.

Police said they received reports of a serious traffic incident near the intersection of Hay Street and George Street in West Perth about 6:40am.

Police, fire crews and St John Ambulance attended the scene and the public was asked to avoid the area.

A man on a bike rides past a crash scene

The area was cordoned off as people commuted through the city. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)

One of the drivers, a woman aged in her 70s, sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital.

A man aged in his 30s was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Cars stuck in building

Ben, who did not want his surname used, was one of the first at the scene said he heard a “loud impact” while crossing the overpass this morning.

A man standing on a street surrounded by firetrucks

Ben was one of the witnesses to the crash. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)

“I turned around to see a car landing in the window of the building on the corner,” he told reporters at the scene.

“Two cars were stuck, one in the building, one underneath.

“I kept calling out, trying to find a way to get access to the vehicles to see how many people were there.”

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Police investigators gathered evidence at the scene of the Hay Street crash. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)

Ben said he helped one of the drivers out of his vehicle, describing him as being in shock.

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He said it appeared the cars had been exiting a freeway ramp.

Video footage from the scene shows two vehicles mangled together at the front of a building.

Hay Street has been closed westbound at George Street, including the southbound freeway exit.

The crash site is a commercial office building along Hay Street that is used by a range of businesses, including consultants and a strata company.

Traffic backed up on a freeway under a bridge with directions signs on it.

Traffic was backed up on the Kwinana Freeway following the crash. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)

The crash and associated police response shut off a key gateway for traffic moving around the CBD.

Traffic backed up on the Kwinana Freeway and also snarled down Hay Street as motorists sought alternative routes.

Cyclists and pedestrians had to wind around the police tape that cordoned off the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

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