UPDATE: A crash south of Atherton has claimed the life of a 79-year-old woman, while an 84-year-old man is fighting for his life.

Police have confirmed the woman, from Ravenshoe, died in a two-car collision along the Kennedy Highway at the intersection of Malanda and Atherton Road in the Atherton Tablelands.

The Kennedy Highway - Malanda Atherton Road has now been re-opened after the road was closed while police and emergency services attend to the site.

The elderly man was flown to Cairns Hospital and is in a critical collision. It’s believed he was in the front passenger seat, while the women was in the rear passenger seat. The driver, a 27-year-old man, is currently in Atherton Hospital being treated for minor injuries.

The two occupants of the other vehicle were also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

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EARLIER: Police and emergency services are on site of a fatal traffic crash involving two vehicles south of Atherton.

Road conditions changed along the Kennedy Highway at the intersection of Malanda and Atherton Road in the Atherton Tablelands.

Motorists are urged to avoid this area as the road is closed whilst injured are treated and investigations commence.

An update will be provided when there is more information to report.