Two people are dead and a third is fighting for life after a family drowning in central Queensland.

Two men, aged 46 and 37, and a teenage boy were swept out to sea this afternoon at Seventeen Seventy, about 75 kilometres south-east of Gladstone.

The older man and boy died while the 37-year-old was rescued and airlifted to Bundaberg Hospital with critical head injuries. 

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It's understood the trio and other members of their family were visiting the popular tourist spot on holiday.

Investigations into the drownings are ongoing. 

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