THREE people have been killed after a petrol tanker and two cars collided on the Bruce Highway in North Queensland.
The crash happened about 4km north of Bowen near the Collinsville turn-off about 2.20pm and the highway is expected to remain closed until at least midnight.
Forensic Crash Unit investigators are on route from Townsville, while emergency crews work to clean up about 11,000 litres of diesel that was spilled at the scene.
It is is understood that the three people killed were travelling in the cars, while the truck driver escaped with minor injuries.
Police are notifying the next of kin of those killed and investigations are continuing.