A child has died and another is in a critical condition after their inflatable toy flipped at a popular Queensland beach.
The boys, aged nine and eight, respectively, were playing about 1pm on Sunday at Norman Point near Tin Can Bay, south of Fraser Island, when the toy was blown away by the wind.
Police said the children immediately began to struggle in the high winds and deep water.
A 49-year-old man swam out to the pair but also became distressed in the conditions.
All three were pulled from the water by a man on a yacht who witnessed the incident.
Members of the public performed CPR onshore until paramedics arrived but the older boy was declared dead at the scene.
The younger was airlifted to Nambour General Hospital in a critical condition while the man was taken by road to Gympie Hospital, also in a critical condition.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
AAP