The force of the impact caused the No. 82 tram to derail at the intersection of Williamson and West roads, near Highpoint Shopping Centre, about 9.40am.

The drivers of the tram and the car were both injured.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade western zone commander Ken Brown said as the tram turned right it crashed into a side of the car, before leaving the tracks and travelling about 20 metres across the road and stopping in the curb.

‘‘There are gouges in the road where the wheels slid,’’ he said. ‘‘It just missed a power line and transformer. If there had been any cars travelling east they could have been hit, too.’’

Firefighters had to free the female car driver from her vehicle.

Ambulance Victoria paramedic team manager Jerome Peyton said the car was extensively damaged along the driver’s side.

‘‘Thankfully the car’s airbags went off, including curtain airbags.’’

The 43-year-old woman was treated for minor injuries and taken in a stable condition to Western Hospital.

Mr Peyton said no passengers were injured.

The 50-year-old male tram driver suffered minor injuries and taken in a stable condition to Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Yarra Trams spokesman Colin Tyrus said the Z-Class tram had only minor damage and was able to be re-railed and towed back to the depot by about 11.50am.

‘‘We were able to run services on either side as it was not on the tracks. People just had to walk one stop along.’’

The incident is being investigated.