Mackay man killed in fiery tanker crash

A 36-year-old Mackay man has died in a fiery crash involving a fuel tanker, truck and horse float.

The fuel tanker collided with the truck on the Peak Downs Highway just west of the Eton Range on Saturday evening, then rolled onto a four-wheel drive that was towing a horse float.

The tanker caught fire, killing the driver.

The two women who were in the four-wheel drive, locals aged 40 and 30, were seriously burnt, while the driver of the other truck, a 55-year-old man, wasn't injured.

Mark Donovan from the CQ Rescue helicopter said the blaze was so big, crew didn't need to wear night vision goggles as soon as the chopper was high enough to see over the range.

Due to the fire's intensity, they had to land some distance away.

"It was a massive fireball with lights and sirens everywhere," Mr Donovan said.

The highway remains closed.