Emergency services are working to rescue a man trapped inside a crane that collapsed and became tangled in live power lines in Brisbane’s east.

Police said he had life-threatening injuries and had not yet been safely evaluated.

The crane fell at the intersection of Youngs Road and Hemant Tingalpa Road in Hemant around 8:30 a.m., snapping power lines nearby.

Approximately 340 properties in the area are without power, and power is expected to remain out for some time as Energex staff work to secure the site for emergency services.

Queensland Police Detective Sergeant Steve Watterson said the scene was “quite messy” as the crane was “entangled in live power lines”.

“We had to wait until the power went out to rescue the driver who was still trapped in the driver’s seat,” he said.

“We are working with other emergency services to make the scene safe and provide assistance to the male operator.”

Mr Watterson said the Forensic Collision Unit was also at the scene with a drone to assist in investigating the scene.

A Queensland Workplace Health and Safety spokesperson said inspectors were at the scene and co-operating with police.

Motorists are being asked to avoid the area and emergency services are responding.