A school holiday outing has ended in heartbreak after a seven-year-old girl was pulled from the water at a popular swimming spot southwest of Brisbane.

The young girl vanished while swimming at Colleges Crossing Recreational Reserve in Chuwar on Saturday afternoon, sparking a frantic search.

Emergency crews were called just before 5pm, with police, including POLAIR and specialist dive units, scouring the water and surrounding banks for hours.

At 10.24pm, the girl was retrieved from the water but could not be saved.

A primary school-aged boy was also taken to Ipswich Hospital in a stable condition after being pulled from the water.

Earlier, officers had cordoned off the picnic area, turning away cars as the desperate search unfolded.

Police divers arrived at the section of river where the little girl was last seen shortly after 8pm.

On the bank, frantic locals used the torchlight from their mobile phones to help crews.

Police officers cordoned off the picnic area, turning away cars as the desperate search unfolded

Police officers cordoned off the picnic area, turning away cars as the desperate search unfolded

The young girl vanished while swimming at Colleges Crossing Recreational Reserve (pictured) in Chuwar on Saturday afternoon
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The young girl vanished while swimming at Colleges Crossing Recreational Reserve (pictured) in Chuwar on Saturday afternoon

Tragically the young girl was found dead hours after she missing

Tragically the young girl was found dead hours after she missing