Three girls and a boy, believed to be aged between 14 and 18, died at the scene. The 14-year-old driver was taken to hospital with minor injures.

He has now been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and burglary, along with one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

Superintendent Glen Pointing described the crash as a “tragedy” for the children, their families and the emergency service personnel who attended the scene.

The boy is due to appear in Townsville Children’s Court this month.

Two men also died after a multi-vehicle crash in Logan on Sunday, while a newborn baby died on Saturday just hours after its pregnant mother was airlifted to a central Queensland hospital to give birth.

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One man, 54, was declared dead at the scene of the collision, at the corner of Fletcher and Logan River roads in Bethania, about 3.30pm on Sunday.

A 37-year-old died shortly after, with two others taken to Logan Hospital in stable conditions.

Just 24 hours earlier, police were called to a single-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway at Saint Lawrence, south of Mackay, after a car hit a guard rail.

One of the occupants, a pregnant woman, was airlifted to Rockhampton hospital about 7pm to give birth to the child – who passed away a few hours later.

Back in the south-east, police were called to Johnson Road in Carole Park about 2.30am on Monday after a passing motorist reported a crashed motorcycle.

A 29-year-old woman died at the scene, with a 31-year-old man taken to hospital in critical condition.

Police are also seeking witnesses to a single-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane on Monday morning, where a Mitsubishi Lancer seen travelling south at high speed crashed near the on-ramp of Dohles Rocks Road at Griffin.

The three occupants, a woman and two men, were taken to hospital and one is in critical condition. Southbound lanes were closed for several hours.

Forensic crash investigations into the incidents continue.

Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said the “tragic” weekend should serve as a reminder for motorists to take care.

“We have seen a range of circumstances where families are now without loved ones,” Mr Keating said.

“The number of people who have died on Queensland roads this year is up dramatically in comparison to this time last year and it’s not acceptable.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink on 13 14 44 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

– with Jocelyn Garcia