Queensland family identified as victims of fiery crash

Tributes are flowing for Queensland mother Charmaine Harris McLeod who died in a fiery crash along with her four children last night.

A Queensland woman who died with her four children in a fiery head-on crash has been described as an amazing mum who treated her kids like “prince and princesses”.

Charmaine Harris McLeod and her children, all aged under 10, were killed after her Nissan station wage hit an oncoming truck while she was trying to overtake a truck on the Bunya Highway near Kumbia in South Burnett about 7.20pm last night.

Friends and family are mourning the death of Ms McLeod, who said she was willing to do anything for her kids.

Charmaine McLeod and her four children. Picture: Facebook.

Charmaine McLeod and her four children died in a car crash last night. Picture: Facebook

Charmaine McLeod and her four children died in a crash near Kumbia. Picture: Facebook

“I’ve never seen a single mum, let alone of four (children) give up so much for their kids and give their kids everything,” a Facebook post said.

“Those kids were something else I tell you, and lived like princes and princesses for their short life.”

Ms Harris McLeod’s own recent Facebook profile picture was accompanied by a touching quote.

“God gave you a heart of gold,” it read.

“You are very sensitive person. It’s not easy being you. You carry a lot of responsibility and play an essential role in other people’s lives, but you are strong and can bear the burden on your shoulders.

“Never forget how valuable you are.”

Charmaine McLeod was described as an amazing mum. Picture: Facebook

Aaleyn, 6, Matilda, 5 and Wyatt, 4, were killed in a car accident with their mother.

The Facebook page of Kawungan State School, where Aaleyn, 6 and Matilda, 5 were students, was also filled with messages.

“Matilda your smile was so beautiful and Tahj will miss you so very much. RIP beautiful angels,” one woman posted.

“A terrible tragedy. RIP to Charmaine and her beautiful kids,” another woman posted.

Wyatt, 4, and Zaidok, 2, were also killed in the fiery crash.

Aaleyn McLeod, 6 was killed in a car accident with her three siblings and mother. Picture: Facebook.

Charmaine McLeod with three of her children. Picture: Facebook.

Paramedics had to fight their way through flames and smoke to reach the vehicle, which was set ablaze along with the truck.

The single mum from Eli Waters, in the southern Queensland city of Hervey Bay, was pronounced dead at the scene along with three of her children.

The children with their father James McLeod. Picture: Facebook

Rescue workers managed to pull out one child, a girl who suffered horrific burns, but there was nothing they could do to save the others.

Ambulance Service Assistant Commissioner Stephen Zsombok told AAP paramedics faced a daunting scene, with victims trapped inside the burning car.

“These are very seasoned officers and they’ve explained this as tragic, extremely traumatic with people obviously involved in the car that’s caught fire,” he said.

“Smoke, fire, our officers have gone though that dangerous scene to get to the child they were able to work on … Unfortunately that child died.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those people.”

Paramedics had to fight their way through flames and smoke to reach the vehicle. Picture: Sky News Australia

The girl was taken to Kingaroy Hospital in a critical condition before being flown to the Queensland Children’s Hospital. However, the young girl died during the flight.

One of the policeman called to the scene described the accident as “catastrophic”.

“It’s certainly one of the worst accidents I’ve ever seen. It’s just a tragedy for everyone involved,” he told reporters at the scene

All four children died in the fiery crash. Picture: ABC News

The truck flipped over in the collision and both vehicles burst into flames.

Update: The Bunya Highway will remain closed for several hours. Motorists are advised to plan ahead with their journey and avoid the area.

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) May 27, 2019

The 47-year-old truck driver managed to free himself from his vehicle and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Bunya Highway at Mannuem remains closed in both directions.

The horrific crash came on the same night as a number of fatal crashes leaving four dead in Victoria — including a woman who died in a hit-and-run crash.

A 31-year-old man from Cairnlea surrendered to police on Tuesday morning after the woman, believed to be in her 20s or 30s, was killed in the crash in Melbourne’s west.