Three people have died and dozens are injured following a major crash involving a bus and 4WD towing a caravan in regional Queensland.

Emergency services rushed to the crash on the Bruce Highway, about 8km north of Gumlu, just after 11am. The major highway remains closed in both directions.

Police have confirmed there were 33 people on the bus and three of those people have died. All three who died were female but their ages have not been disclosed.

Queensland Ambulance Service said earlier that paramedics had assessed 27 patients, some with life threatening injuries and 20 with minor injuries.

Police Superintendent Graeme Paine said there was “significant impact” between the 4WD travelling southbound and the bus travelling northbound on the 100km/h stretch of road, resulting in “very significant consequences”.

“We haven’t determined any factors that have contributed to the crash at this stage, but certainly a crash of this nature, involving this many people, is a very significant, very tragic incident for us,” he said at a press conference just after 3pm.

Superintendent Paine said injured passengers had been taken to Ayr Hospital and Townsville Hospital, with at least one person flown from the scene of the crash.

He said there were “a number of passengers” in the 4WD that was towing the caravan but he was not aware of any of them having injuries.

There were no details given on the bus driver, including their condition.

Superintendent Paine said the impact of the crash would reach well beyond those directly involved.

“A crash like this is very, very confronting,” he said. “The first responders and the community members on scene at the time have done a very significant job in trying to help those who are injured and safeguard the scene.”

Anyone who may have seen the crash or have dashcam footage is urged to contact police.

People travelling through the area on the road or by train are warned of major delays.

Superintendent Paine urged people to stay away unless it was essential travel.

It is currently Queensland school holidays with many more cars on the road.

Townsville Bulletin reported the crash left the intercity bus travelling between Bowen and Townsville resting on train tracks.

Images from the scene show a Greyhound bus with significant damage to its front.

Queensland Ambulance Service said in an earlier update: “Paramedics are on scene assessing several people some with life threatening injuries following reports of a two-vehicle crash involving a bus on the Bruce Highway north of Bowen. Two rescue helicopters have also been tasked to the scene.”

Central Queensland Rescue shared pictures of a helicopter on scene and said it was “triaging multiple patients”. (News.com.au)