Queensland’s health minister was one of the first people on the scene of Australia’s first fatal traffic accident of the Christmas holidays, describing it as “truly devastating”.

Cameron Dick was beginning his annual leave and travelling on the Bruce Highway just outside the town of Gin Gin when he saw the two-car crash on Wednesday.

He said he was one of the first people to reach it and called triple zero but one person died at the scene and another two were taken to hospital.

“The response of the paramedics and police who attended this tragedy was nothing short of outstanding,” he said in a statement.

“This was a truly devastating and heartbreaking incident to encounter.”

Dick was travelling to central Queensland for a family holiday and used the accident to urge other people travelling to be careful.

“My thoughts are with all of those involved in this tragedy and their families, as well as with the dedicated men and women on the frontline who responded to it,” he said.

“After witnessing this tragedy, I urge Queenslanders to stay safe on our roads this festive season.”

A spokesman for the Queensland ambulance service said emergency officers were called to the accident at 12.45pm. CPR was performed on one of the people injured, but they died at the scene.

A man, 65, was airlifted to Bundaberg hospital with shoulder and back injuries and a woman, 59, was taken by ambulance to the hospital with chest injuries.

It is the first fatal traffic accident in Australia for the Christmas period, which began on Wednesday and runs until 3 January.