Desperate search is launched for missing sailor after boat overturned off Lady Elliot Island leaving his two passengers clinging to the side

A desperate search has been launched for a missing man after two people were found clinging to the side of an overturned boat.

The yacht had three people on board and capsized off Lady Elliott Island near Gladstone on Sunday morning.

It is understood the yacht was traveling from Yeppoon to Brisbane when it capsized.

The boat was about four nautical miles south of Lady Elliot Island when an EPIRB was activated around 5 a.m., it was reported The courier post.

Emergency services launched a search and rescue operation involving multiple vessels, police divers and a rescue helicopter from Bundaberg.

The rescue helicopter found two men around 10:15 am.

It was believed the two, who were flown to Bundaberg hospital, were the people clinging to the side of the ship.

More to come