One man is dead and another is fighting for life after they were submerged and trapped in concrete that fell from a crane at a Melbourne worksite.
It is believed the crane dropped a tub of concrete into a pit at the Box Hill building site on Whitehorse Road, where three men were working about 12.20pm.
One of the men, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.
Emergency service workers at the scene in Box Hill. Source: AAP
A 28-year-old Caroline Springs man was taken to hospital with critical injuries, while a 27-year-old Southbank man suffered minor injuries.
Exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established.
"This has been a particularly tragic event," senior intensive care paramedic Gary Robertson told reporters.
"We've got three men that were hit by this load that came loose.
"Unfortunately one has lost his life, which has been particularly traumatic."
Mr Robertson said the critically injured man suffered extensive injuries to his head, chest, pelvis and abdomen.
He was partially submerged by the wet concrete and had to be extricated before crews could begin working on him.
"It has taken a mighty effort," Mr Robertson said.
A crane is seen at the scene of an accident. Source: AAP
"He was submerged, just submerged under.
"Thankfully ... they were able to at least get him out of that part, which will actually have saved his life, given him a chance.
"The gentleman who passed away was submerged considerably and had a fair amount of weight on him.
"As you can imagine the crane driver and the workers there are incredibly traumatised."
A third man is in Box Hill hospital being assessed for minor injuries.
Police and WorkSafe are investigating.
It is understood the men were working in a basement or car park area of the development site.
CFMMEU state secretary John Setka said it appeared a chain and hook holding and bucket of concrete had come off the crane and fallen to the ground where three people were working.
"It's pretty traumatic ... it's just absolutely shocking," he told 3AW radio.
Counsellors were due to speak to workers on site on Thursday afternoon.
Mr Setka said the incident involved Clarke Cranes, the same company involved in a crane collapse in Richmond in June.
A company representative declined to comment.
