Queensland Police had 'no option' but to shoot knife-wielding man

Police have said they had no option but to fatally shoot a man wielding a knife at a railway station west of Brisbane.

The man, 24, was shot at Ipswich railway station at about 4.15pm yesterday.

The station remains closed this morning, as investigators look at the crime scene. Buses are replacing trains.

Officers were called to the station after a bystander dialled Triple Zero to report a man with a knife threatening the public.

Early reports indicate the man confronted police when they arrived and was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at the scene.

"What I can say police on each and every occasion where they're called to assist they will attend and they will do their job," Ipswich Acting Superintendent Mel Adams said.

"Using a firearm is the option – is an option available to police but let's say we try to use the least amount of force available on each and every occasion."

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said officers were left “quite shaken” by the incident.

The matter is under investigation by the Ethical Standards Command.

Nobody else was injured in the incident.