Emergency services received reports a Cessna 172 had crashed near Agnes Water on Tuesday morning with four adults on board, two male and two female.

A woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 62-year-old pilot, Les Woodall, was on Tuesday afternoon in Bundaberg hospital with suspected spinal injuries. He was expected to be flown to Brisbane for surgery that night or the following day.

The aircraft was one of two small planes involved in tourist activities in the area at the time, according to Queensland Ambulance Service Rockhampton communications centre manager Mindy Thomas.

Paramedics treated Mr Woodall, as well as a 29-year-old woman in a serious condition with head and leg injuries and a 13-year-old boy with a possible fractured lower limb.

The woman and boy were airlifted to Rockhampton base hospital.

Ms Thomas said the centre had received information about the crash from a passenger of the second tourist aircraft about 10.45am.

"There was two planes, one was following the other and has seen the first go down, they have safely landed on Middle Beach and called triple zero," she said.

"We had direct information from the scene at all times.

"It is unknown what has occurred at this stage."

A spokesperson for the tour company said in a statement on Tuesday evening: "On behalf of everyone at 1770 Castaway, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and all the loved ones of those involved in the Middle Island tragedy.

"In respecting the due process of several investigations and in not wanting to preempt the outcome of those inquiries, we cannot offer any comment regarding the circumstances of the accident and we would ask that the privacy of all concerned be respected at this very difficult time. 1770 Castaway are offering all the investigators its full co-operation."

Earlier on Tuesday, the plane was reported to have crashed on the eastern side of Middle Island, which is understood to be not easily accessible by road.

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Two rescue helicopters, one from Bundaberg and another from Rockhampton were sent to the area.

It is understood the passengers were tourists who were reportedly camping on the island, organised through 1770 Castaway Fly-In Island Adventures.

The company flies tourists from its base at Agnes Water for day trips or two-night camping trips to Middle Island for an "Aussie camping experience".

A Central Queensland plane spotter's social media page posted the aircraft was heard to make a "pan-pan" urgency call before it was apparently forced to land on the beach.

The plane spotting blog also stated the aircraft had a broken wing and was sitting upside-down.

Police from the Rockhampton Forensic Crash Unit and Criminal Investigation Branch were investigating along with relevant authorities.