One person dead and six others are seriously hurt after a two pieces of machinery collided underground in a central Queensland mine.

Two rescue helicopters were sent to the site at Moranbah North with four of the miners airlifted to hospital.

Paramedics tried desperately to save the driver of a grader however he died later in hospital.

The four patients flown to hospital were treated for suspected spinal injuries as well as head, neck and facial injuries.

The incident happened around 4.15pm on Wednesday.

Anglo American, which operates the mine, confirmed in a statement the incident happened “in the access drift close to the surface of the mine”.

“The driver of the grader received immediate treatment on site and was then transported by ambulance to hospital, but has tragically passed away,” the company statement said.

“The employees who were in the other vehicle immediately received medical treatment on site for injuries and subsequently two people have been transported by helicopter to Mackay for further treatment.”

It has been referred to the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.

The has stopped production.