Baby fractures skull in Qld buggy crash

A baby girl has suffered a fractured skull when a golf buggy carrying eight people crashed and flipped on its side at tropical Hamilton Island.

Police say five adults and three children were riding in the six-seater buggy when it collided with a parked buggy at the popular Queensland tourist destination on Thursday morning.

The infant, believed to be aged nine months, suffered a head fracture and possible broken legs.

She was flown to Townsville Hospital in a serious condition with her mother, who's leg was fractured in the crash.

Images of the collision show the buggy perched on top of a smaller buggy.

Two male tourists, aged 36 and 60, from the United Kingdom were taken by helicopter to Mackay Hospital in a stable condition, according to RACQ Capricorn Rescue Service.

Four more patients with less serious injuries, including a two-year-old boy, returned to the mainland by boat.

One man collapsed in shock after witnessing the crash, an ambulance spokeswoman said.

In a statement, Hamilton Island said they were working with Queensland Police who are investigating the incident.

The golf-style buggies are the main form of transport on the island.

Information on the Hamilton Island website says buggy drivers must hold a valid driver's licence.

Hamilton Island said in a later statement that the driver of the buggy was not an employee, and that it will continue to work with police during the investigation.