The ABC is reporting that two people were winched from a life raft and police have confirmed they were responding to reports of a small plane crashing off the state’s southeast coast on Friday morning.

Queensland Ambulance Services told AAP rescue helicopters off the Sunshine Coast saw two people in life rafts after reports of the plane crash before 9am AEST.

The Coastguard says the aircraft ditched into the ocean at Barwon Banks, 20 nautical miles east off Mooloolaba just after 9am.

The two people, whose condition is unknown, were floating in a life raft at the site of the crash, the coastguard said.

They are being transported to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

Water police were on their way to the scene but have been stood down, Queensland Police Officer in charge Sergeant Kyle Bates told the ABC.

“At 8.45am Sunshine Coast police received a call from rescue coordination centre in Canberra advising that a two-seat Cessna aircraft set out from Sunshine Coast airport heading to Lord Howe Island,” he said

“They were about 65 miles east of the Sunshine Coast when they started losing altitude,” Sergeant Bates said.

“Immediately two helicopters were tasked to the area as well as surface assets,” he said

“Unfortunately for the occupants they did have to ditch. But fortunately, they have been able to prepare for it.”