A motorcyclist has died after a multi-vehicle crash involving two cars and a motorbike on a notorious mountain road.

Emergency services including three rescue choppers were called to Tamborine Mountain Rd in the Scenic Rim, Queensland, about 10.40am on Sunday after the collision, which left six people injured, five initially in life-threatening conditions.

Initial investigations indicate a white 2005 Subaru Liberty travelling south collided with a grey BMW motorcycle and a grey Nissan X-Trail travelling north.

The rider, a 52-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he later died.

Two male passengers from the Subaru, aged 22 and 25, were also airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The 25-year-old driver of the Subaru was transported to hospital with serious injuries.

A 72-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman travelling in the Nissan X-Trail were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

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

Three men in their 20s who were travelling in the Subaru were also injured, with one initially trapped and suffering facial injuries before being taken to hospital in a stable condition.

One of the men suffered neck, chest, stomach and possible spinal injuries, while another sustained chest, abdominal and pelvic injuries, QAS said on Sunday.

Tamborine Mountain Rd was closed in both directions for much of the day but reopened late on Sunday afternoon.

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

Officers from the Logan Forensic Crash Unit are investigating the circumstances of the crash and are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant vision to come forward.