Man killed, another seriously hurt after wall collapse at West End worksite

A construction worker has died and another has been seriously injured after a retaining wall gave way at a worksite in Brisbane's West End on Monday morning.

Emergency crews were called to Boundary Street around 8:30am following reports that two workers had been trapped beneath debris at an industrial property.

A 45-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. A 19-year-old co-worker, who was pinned under concrete for more than an hour, was rescued and taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Queensland Police Inspector Chris Pemberton said quick action from fellow workers and four police officers was crucial in saving the younger man's life. Together, they shifted a significant slab of concrete that had been compressing his chest and preventing him from breathing properly.

"He was then left in place due to the complexity of the entrapment so fire crews could carry out the full extraction," Inspector Pemberton said. "It's a tragic incident to occur so close to Christmas."

He said the men had been working in a shallow trench about 600 millimetres deep, with the retaining wall sitting roughly a metre away from their position when it collapsed.

Queensland Fire Department Acting Inspector Marc O'Brien said specialist monitoring equipment normally used in disaster zones was deployed to ensure the site was safe during the difficult rescue. Crews also secured the area by covering exposed trenches with large plywood sheets.

"We offer our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues affected," he said.

Boundary Street remains closed between Melbourne Street and Edmonstone Street, with motorists advised to avoid the area.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has launched an investigation, and police will prepare a report for the coroner.