Four killed, including child, in head-on crash on Queensland motorway

Police are investigating why a car was being driven on the wrong side of a Queensland motorway, when it hit and killed a young family.

Police say 34-year-old Calvin Clack was driving a dark blue 2016 Ford Focus hatch east in the westbound lanes of the Ipswich Motorway at Redbank when it hit a Ford Territory head-on at 11.15pm.

Both cars burst into flames.

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The 37-year-old female driver, 39-year-old male passenger and a two-year-old girl in the Ford Territory died.

Mr Clack was ejected from the car and also pronounced dead at the scene.

Acting Inspector Darren Green said both vehicles were still on fire when emergency services arrived.

"It was extremely graphic, very confronting for the emergency service crews that attended," he said.

"The male driver of the sedan was ejected from the vehicle some distance.

"The occupants of the SUV were unable to escape the vehicle and were located after the fire was extinguished."

He said it appeared speed was a factor in the crash.

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Police have since spoken to witnesses who saw the car travelling on the wrong side of the road prior to the crash but were not notified until after it had occurred.

It's unclear where the Focus entered the motorway but police believe it may have been travelling in the wrong direction along the Cunningham Highway prior to the crash.

Police have spoken to witnesses who saw the car travelling on the wrong side of the road prior to the crash but they were not notified until after it had occurred

"It would have been extremely confronting for (the witnesses) as well... such a tragic incident," Acting Inspector Green said.

Both drivers will be drug and alcohol tested as part of the investigation.

Mr Clack is not believed to have been known to the family in the Ford Territory, although all are from the Darling Downs region.

Acting Inspector Green said the welfare of the first responders would be monitored.

"I've seen a number of fatal crashes and as I said, this one was extremely confronting," he said.

One lane of traffic remained blocked this morning, causing delays.

Police are looking for anybody who might have seen the blue hatch before the crash or have relevant dash-cam video.

Police earlier reported the car involved was a black sedan. This was incorrect.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Queensland Police or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.