Nation Kouka in a critical condition after Cross River Rail fall, Brisbane

The worker who fell 12m at a Cross River Rail construction site has been identified, as he remains in a critical condition and the $6.3bn project is in limbo following a furious reaction from the peak building union.

The state government’s showpiece $6.3bn Cross River Rail project is in limbo after a ­horror workplace accident left a construction worker fighting for life and the peak building union furious.

The man, who has been identified as Nation “Nash” Kouka”, 54, plunged up to 12m from scaffolding at the Boggo Rd station construction site about 1.15pm on Tuesday as horrified workmates watched on.

Nation "Nash" Kouka is in a critical condition following a fall at the Boggo Road Corss River Rail site.

Emergency services had to use a crane to extricate the worker after he fell, striking objects on the way down and landing on concrete at the site on Joe Baker Rd at ­Dutton Park.

He was rushed by ambulance to Princess Alexandra Hospital where he remains in a critical condition on Wednesday afternoon after undergoing emergency surgery.

It is understood his son also works at the Boggo Rd site.

Workers at the site after the incident Tuesday afternoon. Picture: David Clark

The construction site was immediately shut down as the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) said the Cross River Rail project had been a serious accident waiting to happen.

A CFMEU spokesman said Cross River Rail had “the worst (safety) record of any major civil construction project in Australia” and the union had been warning the state government about the dangers almost since the project began. The spokesman said “hundreds” of safety ­enforcement notices had been issued on the project “and it just shouldn’t happen”.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has launched an investigation into the accident.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey revealed he was shaken by the horrific incident at the Cross River Rail site and said it was an opportunity to reflect on the safety and improve any issues. But he maintained the instances of safety issues on the major rail project was “a lot lower than industry average”.

The union said representatives had previously attempted to visit the Boggo Rd site over concerns about working conditions, but were turned away by construction managers.

The incident happened at the Cross River Rail’s Boggo Rd station site at Dutton Park. Picture: David Clark

In September last year, it said workers had to “remove themselves from the workplace because of dangerous levels of dust”.

There have been concerns shared on social media posts about the accident.

“The so-called ‘safety’ on that site is appalling. Needs to be shut down for a long time to fix the long list of issues,” one commenter said.

“Haven’t the CFMEU been banging on about safety issues on this site for months,” another said.

Inspector Andrew Tracey, of Queensland Police, said the man had fallen from scaffolding, striking multiple objects on the way down before landing on concrete.

“He is in an extremely serious condition,” Inspector Tracey said. “He has extensive internal injuries as from what I’ve been briefed, but the extent of this I’m unaware of at this stage. There were a number of workers on site at the time, who rendered assistance to him.”

Police at the scene on Tuesday. Picture: David Clark

He said it was a distressing time for the man’s family and fellow workers.

“No one expects to come to work and end up in hospital so they are obviously rallying together and supporting each other through this.”

Inspector Tracey also confirmed other workers were on the scaffolding at the time the man fell.

In March, Transport Minister Mark Bailey revealed the cost of the Cross River Rail project had blown out by ­almost $1bn and delays meant that it would not open until early 2026.