A woman and a toddler have died following 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 just south of the intersection with Reynolds Road shortly before 4pm.
Police investigations indicate that a white Mitsubishi Triton utility struck a red Mazda MX-5 before colliding with a white MG3 hatchback. The Queensland Ambulance Service reported that a 34-year-old woman and a two-year-old child were assessed in life-threatening condition but died at the scene.
A 22-year-old woman was airlifted to Cairns Hospital with significant pelvic and abdominal injuries and remains in critical condition. A man also suffered chest and back injuries and was taken to the same hospital, where he is in a serious but stable condition.
Far North Police District Superintendent Mick Searle described the crash as a head-on collision, noting the distressing nature of the scene. 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.
