A three-year-old boy has died and another is in hospital with minor injuries after they were hit by a 16-year-old learner driver.

Queensland police said officers were called to a unit complex on Thorneside Road in Thorneside, east of Brisbane, at 3:35pm after reports the boys had been struck by a reversing car.

One boy died at the scene. Another boy of the same age was taken to hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries.

The driver was also taken to hospital and treated for shock.

A police spokesman said there were other people in the car with the driver at the time of the crash.

Investigations are continuing.