Police have this afternoon charged a 61-year-old man who was behind the wheel of his ute when it crashed into a Ravenshoe cafe and caused an explosion that resulted in the death of two women last year.

The man, a Manunda resident, crashed into the Serves You Right Cafe on Grigg Street at around 12pm on 9 June 9 last year, causing a gas bottle to ignite and a subsequent fire in the building.

Two women, aged 37 and 82, who were inside the café at the time of the crash later died in hospital.

An additional 17 people were injured, including 14 seriously, as a result of the incident. The driver was also seriously injured in the crash.

A police statement this afternoon reads:

"After extensive inquiries conducted by the Cairns Forensic Crash Unit and Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch, the 61-year-old driver was charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm."

The man is due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on December 19.