Duo winched from rocks near Queensland bay after tinny capsizes

A blue Esky spotted by an eagle-eyed helicopter crew member led to the rescue of two men whose tinny had capsized before dawn on Tuesday in north Queensland.

The RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service crew began searching after an emergency beacon was activated in the Stanage Bay area, 175 kilometres north-east of Rockhampton, about 5.30am on Tuesday.

After hours of looking, the crew saw an Esky in the water which led to the discovery of the two men and the washed-up dinghy on the rocks in the area.

The crew winched the pair from the rocks, where the onboard critical care paramedic treated them for cuts and abrasions.

They were flown to the Rockhampton Base Hospital in a stable condition.