An off-duty paramedic tried in vain to save the life of a woman killed in a head-on collision on the Gold Coast overnight.

The woman, believed to have been aged in her 30s, was a passenger in the rear seat of a car travelling southbound on the Pacific Motorway at Pimpama about 12.45am when a car travelling northbound is understood to have crossed to the wrong side of the road.

The off-duty officer was on the scene within minutes, and found the woman in a critical condition in the rear seat of one vehicle. The drivers of both vehicles were trapped.

Police at the scene. Picture: 9NEWS (9NEWS)

The woman who died was a passenger in one of the cars. Picture: 9NEWS (9NEWS)

Queensland Ambulance acting senior operations supervisor Stuart Cutajar said despite the efforts of the paramedic the woman suffered a "rapid deterioration" in consciousness and died at the scene.

Mr Cutajar said the crash was a "tragic set of circumstances" and the well wishes of the Queensland Ambulance was with the families of those involved.

He was unable to say whether either of the drivers were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time.

The drivers of both cars were hospitalised. Picture: 9NEWS (9NEWS)

The vehicles were removed from the scene this morning. Picture: 9NEWS (9NEWS)

Both drivers were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The driver believed to be responsible for the crash is in a serious but stable condition and is receiving treatment.