Man left in a critical condition with 'severe injuries' after being ‘struck by a weight’ at an unstaffed gym

An Australian man is fighting for his life in hospital after he was struck by a weight at an unmanned gym in Queensland.

Paramedics were called at 5.47am to Snap Fitness in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Spring Hill after reports that a man, aged between 25 to 35, had suffered serious injuries.

Queensland Ambulance Clinical Director Lachlan Parker said the man's condition when paramedics arrived was 'very severe'.

Ken Wolter / Alamy

"When the Queensland Ambulance Service dispatched an ambulance to the scene his injuries were very severe, so we dispatched two crews including a critical care paramedic," Mr Parker said.

"It's unknown how it actually happened but it does appear he was struck by a weight at the gym, causing his head and chest to suffer significant injuries."

Mr Parker went on to reveal that when paramedics revived, other gym goers were already performing life saving resuscitation on the man as they waited for help.

"Cardiopulmonary resuscitation to be performed before we arrived on scene," Mr Parker said.

He revealed once ambulance officers took over the scene, they continued the lifesaving treatment.

"The paramedics did resuscitation and treated any immediate life threats, including anesthetising the patient, and they transported him to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a very serious condition."

Snap Fitness is a 24 hour gym that was unattended at the time of the incident.

Genevieve Vallee / Alamy

The Queensland Ambulance spokesman went on to praise the Brisbane gym goers who had acted quickly to help the man before paramedics could arrive on the scene.

"There were bystanders present and they rendered immediate assistance with the triple-0 operators," Mr Parker said.

He added: "They were highly active and engaged in treating the patient before we arrived."

Queensland Ambulance's Clinical Director went on to add that the man's injuries are a stark reminder that gym goers need to exercise caution when working out.

"In a perfect environment we should always be with people when we’re at the gym and you should always have a good understanding of how that gym equipment works," Mr Parker said.

"In case you’re at the gym, when something happens to someone else, you should always make sure you understand where their defibrillators are, how to call triple-0 and provide any assistance that you may need to do."

The gym is staffed between 10am and 7pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9am-2pm on Friday.

Snap Fitness has been approached for comment.