Three 17-year-old boys have suffered serious burns and two remain in a critical condition after an incident involving live railway lines on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Police said the teenagers were found under a rail overpass near Jacobs Well-Pimpama Road, just after 8:30pm on Thursday.

One of the boys had managed to call triple-0 for help.

The two boys in a critical condition have been identified as Rex Warburton and Jake Walton.

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) said they had burns to 50 to 60 per cent of their bodies and were in the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH).

On Saturday morning, their condition was reported to be critical but stable.

A third boy is in a stable condition in the Gold Coast University Hospital.

QAS spokesman Allan Windsor said officers at the scene initially thought the boys had been electrocuted.

"Apparently what happened was they climbed over the bridge there and sat on the concrete barriers which support the bridge to admire the view, and whilst sitting there it appears the electricity from the high voltage wires arced across to the young males," he said.

"They both received approximately 50 per cent burns to their bodies ranging from full thickness to partial thickness burns."

Mr Windsor said the third boy who tried to help his two friends had also received an electric shock.

"When we arrived his heart was racing at 175 beats per minute," he said.

"At the time of the incident all three patients were conscious."

The teens were found under a rail overpass near Jacobs Well-Pimpama Road on Thursday night. ( ABC News: Jennifer Huxley )

'Very stupid' being around high voltage wires

He said it was "extremely dangerous" to be around these high voltage wires.

"It's very stupid — just stay away from them [the wires] … they can arc which I don't think a lot of people realise," Mr Windsor said.

"That's why they have those safety barriers there so please keep away from them and keep out of those areas."

Queensland Rail and police are investigating.

Senior Sergeant Leigh McGuiness said the boys' next of kin had been notified.

He said investigators were looking into how and why the boys got to be there in the first place.

"It is owned by Queensland Rail and we are urging members of the public to stay away from the wires as the area is quite hazardous," he said.

Queensland Rail and police are investigating. ( ABC News: Jennifer Huxley )

Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said train services had been suspended between Beenleigh and Helensvale stations while emergency services attended the incident.

Mr Easy said services resumed through the area at 10:15pm on Thursday.

"Our thoughts are with the young gentlemen involved in this incident and their families at this difficult time," he said.