Man in critical condition after being crushed by weights at Spring Hill gym

Quick-thinking gymgoers have been praised after they rushed to the aid of a man who suffered critical head and chest wounds when he was crushed by weights at an unstaffed gym in Brisbane’s CBD.

The Snap Fitness where a man was crushed by weights this morning, Spring Hill Brisbane. Photo Steve Pohlner

A man is in critical condition after being crushed by weights at an unstaffed Brisbane CBD gym on Thursday morning, with bystanders rushing to his aid to perform CPR on him.

Paramedics were called to the gym on Turbot Street, Spring Hill, at 5.47am after reports a man had been crushed by weights.

QAS clinical director Lachlan Parker said the man aged between 25-35 sustained very severe injuries to his head and chest, and he was taken by ambulance to Royal Brisbane and Women‘s Hospital in a critical condition.

“It’s unknown exactly what happened but it does appear that he had been struck by a weight at the gym, causing his head and chest to suffer significant injuries,” he said.

Mr Parker praised the care provided by the bystanders in the unattended gym that helped the man significantly before paramedics arrived.

“They were highly active and engaged in treating the patient before we arrived,” he said.

The Snap Fitness where a man was crushed by weights this morning, Spring Hill Brisbane. Photo Steve Pohlner

He urged gymgoers to use caution when working out with heavy equipment.

“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,” he 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.”

By 10am the gym was open as usual with half-a-dozen people using equipment.

The CEO of non-profit industry association AUSactive, Barrie Elvish, said 24/7 gyms recognise that staffed hours are not “suitable” for many people including shift workers or those who enjoy working out in a less crowded environment.

Mr Elvish said AUSactive supports businesses and personal trainers to “mitigate against the possibility of an accident taking place”.

He said some “very strong recommendations” for members include closed-circuit televisions and stress alarms.

“Over 35 per cent of Australians over the age of 15 go to a gym at least once a year, it is a hugely popular service – one of the reasons why it is so popular is because it is so accessible,” Mr Elvish said.

“If it is going to be accessible it really needs to be 24/7.”

Asked whether more gymgoers need to be aware of emergency procedures, Mr Elvish said: “Ideally everyone in Australia would know how to do CPR and possibly use a defibrillator”.

Snap Fitness says it is aware of an “accident” at its Spring Hill gym.

“The safety and wellbeing of our members is our highest priority, and our team is saddened to hear of the condition of the member,” the statement read.

“We take our duty of care responsibilities very seriously and have provided the members who witnessed and assisted with the incident access to counselling services and support.”

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