A multi-vehicle crash on a Queensland highway has left three people dead and another three injured, with residents hearing explosions from miles away.
Emergency crews were called to Maryborough West on the central Queensland coast about 9.50pm on Friday night after reports of the crash.
Two semi-trailers, a double cab, a hatchback and a caravan trailer had collided on the Bruce Highway near the Walker St junction, police said.
Two of the vehicles caught fire and one of the trucks was carrying a load of flammable paint, and locals reported hearing loud explosions and seeing a fireball.
“Unfortunately, at least three people died at the scene and three others suffered minor injuries,” a police spokesman said on Saturday.
The multi-vehicle pile-up on the Bruce Highway at Maryborough West (pictured)
The area will remain closed to traffic from Saturday morning with the removal of the many large vehicles likely to last until the afternoon.
Accident Forensics remains on the scene and is investigating the matter.
A woman on a local online group said she heard explosions from a suburb 5km away.
‘I heard the explosions here in Oakhurst. It was terrible, my heart dropped, so sad,’ she said.
A driver who had been on the road near the scene told the group that there was a truck on fire and several smaller explosions when the load of paint cans ignited.
‘The police stopped me there and told me to turn around.
‘It also rained quite hard. Not so much about sitting there, I could hear and see small explosions which were later reported to be paint cans.
‘I am devastated to hear that people died in this event.’
Motorists are asked to avoid the area.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact police.
