FOUR people died on a horror day on North Queensland roads.
The four lost their lives after two separate crashes on the Bruce Highway near Townsville within just four hours on Sunday.
The first fatality happened after three cars collided near Yabulu about 9am.
One car flipped on its roof and a 52-year-old Deeragun man died at the scene.
Just hours later, four cars collided at Mount Surround, south of Townsville about 12.30pm.
Police said initial investigations reveled a Ford Falcon travelling south on the Bruce Highway collided with a Mitsubishi Pajero travelling north. The two cars behind the Pajero, a Subaru Impreza and a Ford Ranger, were unable to avoid the collision.
The 56-year-old male driver of the Ford Falcon died instantly.
A 72-year-old man and 70-year-old woman, both from Mundingburra, in the Mitsubishi Pajero also died at the scene.
The driver of the Subaru Impreza, a 33-year-old woman from Home Hill, was transported to Townsville University Hospital with a neck injury.
The driver and passenger in the Ford Ranger, a 39-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman both from Heatley, were transported to Townsville University Hospital with minor injuries.
The Bruce Highway was closed for several hours.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating both crashes and witnesses are being urged to contact police.