A 34-year-old woman and a two-year-old child have died in a multi-vehicle crash on the Captain Cook Highway at Oak Beach, north of Cairns, on Friday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the scene near Reynolds Road just before 4pm. Police investigations indicate a white Mitsubishi Triton utility struck a red Mazda MX-5 before colliding with a white MG3 hatchback.
The woman and toddler were assessed in a life-threatening condition but died at the scene. A 22-year-old woman was flown to Cairns Hospital with significant pelvic and abdominal injuries and remains in critical condition. A man with chest and back injuries is in serious but stable condition.
Far North Police District Superintendent Mick Searle described the crash as a head-on collision and said the scene was distressing. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating and will revisit the site in the coming days.
Police are urging anyone with relevant information or dashcam footage to come forward. The ABC has withheld the names of the deceased at the family's request.
