Five people are fighting for their lives after a multi-vehicle crash on a notorious Queensland mountain road.

Emergency services were called to Tamborine Mountain Rd in the Scenic Rim about 10.40am on Sunday after two cars and a motorcycle collided, trapping two people.

A man in his 70s was trapped in a vehicle before being freed, according to a Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) spokesperson.

He and a woman, also believed to be in her 70s, were both taken by road to Gold Coast University Hospital in life-threatening conditions.

The motorcyclist — a man in his 50s — suffered “multi-system trauma” and was airlifted to the same hospital in a life-threatening condition, the QAS spokesperson said.

Three men in their 20s who were travelling in one of the cars were also injured.

One suffered neck, chest, stomach and possible spinal injuries and was airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a life-threatening condition.

Another suffered chest, abdominal and pelvic injuries and was airlifted to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a life-threatening condition.

The third man was initially trapped and suffered facial injuries.

He was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital by road in a stable condition.

Tamborine Mountain Rd has since been closed between Barry Rd and Beenleigh-Beaudesert Rd and drivers are urged to seek alternate routes.

The road winds through the Gold Coast hinterland and features narrow lanes, sharp bends and steep sections.