A young man who was buried in sand in a tragic weekend accident on a Queensland island has died in hospital from his injuries.

The 23-year-old, identified as Josh Taylor, was airlifted to hospital after he fell into a large hole and became trapped in the sand on Bribie Island, off the Sunshine Coast, on Saturday.

He had no pulse for 45 minutes after his rescue. He was given CPR by passers-by and beach rangers before being flown to a Brisbane hospital.

Police, firefighters and paramedics pulled the man from the sand and transferred him to a rescue helicopter.

Emergency services had been called out to a remote campground on the island about 2pm.

The man was transferred in a critical condition to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday afternoon.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Police seek information

Anyone with information or dashcam footage are urged to contact police.

A witness said Taylor fell into a sand hole that collapsed around him, leaving him buried 1.5 metres under the sand. Friends and local rangers began a frantic effort to get Taylor out, but initially could not.

One man, named only as Nathan, told the Seven Network Taylor and his friends had dug a large hole in the sand to cook a pig.

“He stood up off the chair, the sand had given way a little underneath him and he’d stumbled back,” Nathan said.

“He’d put his arms out to break the fall, he’s continued going down and knocked sand as he’s put his arms out.”

Taylor fell deep into the hole.

“You could not see his feet unless you were standing over the hole,” Nathan said.

“We just start digging, digging, digging.’’

They tied a rope around Taylor’s feet to try to pull him out. But he remained stuck, until an off-duty paramedic arrived.

A GoFundMe fundraiser had been organised for the man’s parents, raising more than $63,000 for medical expenses before his death.

“The unimaginable has happened to their beloved son … a vibrant and adventurous soul who has brought so much joy to those around him,” the fundraiser page posted earlier this week.

The incident was described as a “tragic accident’’.

“His family is now facing an incredibly challenging journey ahead,” the post read.