A man has died after a boat capsized off the south-east Queensland coast.

The tinny capsized with a couple of people onboard, about 100 metres offshore of Cleveland.

Two men and a 14-year-old girl were on the vessel when it overturned and sunk.

After failing to get the attention of anyone on passing ferries, Richard Clayton and his daughter were forced to swim ashore but his friend, TJ, didn’t make it.

“We were out fishing, enjoying a day out with the daughter and a mate, crabbing and a bit fishing,” Mr Clayton told Bill McDonald.

“When we decided to come back in, we got to our second-last crab pot and the boat started taking on water.

“Within a matter of seconds, it was all over. The boat was turned over and we were in the water.”

Mr Clayton said he has “no idea” what caused the boat to start taking on water.

“[TJ] lost touch with the boat and unfortunately drifted away,” he said.

“I was trying to get to him with the lifejacket and I’ve seen him there swimming, … I sung out to him and then next minute, he was all quiet.

“I went to hospital after that and obviously it got onto social media prior to me finding out. It really hit me hard then.”

Press PLAY below to hear Richard recount the tragic event 

Image: Getty