Qld abattoir worker in critical condition

A 40-year-old man initially declared dead following a workplace accident at an abattoir in Queensland 's Wide Bay region is in a critical condition in hospital.

Paramedics were called to the Biggenden Meat Works, southwest of Bundaberg, about 8.30am on Tuesday.

A Queensland Workplace Health and Safety spokesman told AAP the man had been declared dead during confusion on the ground following the incident.

But he was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Police and Queensland Workplace Health and Safety have launched an investigation into the fatality.