A SERIES of mistakes led to the death of one man, and the near death of another, in the Simpson Desert on Monday.

Greg Woods, who found the men, said both would have survived if they had stayed in their air conditioned vehicle.

Mauritz Pieterse died after he and a workmate became bogged in soft sand while inspecting bores on the Ethabuka nature reserve, in Queensland's southwest on Monday and decided to walk out.

Josh Hayes was barely alive when he was found late on Monday night.

Mr Woods, from neighbouring Carlo Station, set out to search for the pair just before dark on Monday and found Mr Pieterse's body late that nigh on a bush track.

Mr Woods said the pair made many mistakes, but the worst was walking away from their vehicle in the blazing heat, while they could have waited until someone found them.