Friends of a Queensland man resuscitated after being buried alive more than a metre deep in the sand have given a heart-breaking update.

Josh Taylor remains in hospital, fighting for life, after being dragged from a hole on Bribie Island by rescuers last weekend.

The 25-year-old had no pulse for 45 minutes after his rescue. He was given CPR by passers-by and beach rangers before being flown to a Brisbane hospital.

On Tuesday, a GoFundMe was launched by friends of Taylor’s family, revealing more about his condition. Organiser Georgia Hoffman said they faced an “incredibly challenging journey”.

“The unimaginable has happened to their beloved son, Josh, a vibrant and adventurous soul who has brought so much joy to those around him,” she wrote.

“Recently, Josh experienced a tragic accident on Bribie Island that has left him in critical condition.”

Taylor’s accident happened when he fell into a hole on the popular holiday island just off the Sunshine Coast on Sunday afternoon. The hole, which had been dug to cook a pig, collapsed around him, leaving him buried 1.5 metres under the sand.

Friends and local rangers began a frantic effort to get Taylor out, but he remained stuck until an off-duty paramedic arrived.

“You could not see his feet unless you were standing over the hole,” one witness, whose name was given only as Nathan, said.

“We just start digging, digging, digging.”

He said it was a “pretty gruesome” scene.

“There were, like, 15 fully grown men on the end of this rope and it still would not budge,” Nathan said.

“That’s when the paramedic said, pull him this way, he’s gonna come … and then the suction gave way and he popped out.”

Taylor was given CPR, and a defibrillator was used. Shortly after, an RACQ LifeFlight helicopter pilot landed on the beach, bringing doctors and paramedics to the scene.

“It was pretty gnarly when he popped out. I threw up,” Nathan said.

“He broke. The suction, the force of everyone pulling.”

Taylor was flown to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Hoffman said Taylor’s family needed to focus on him completely.

“In this time of heartache and uncertainty, we have the power to make a meaningful difference,” he said.

“Your contribution, no matter the size, will go a long way to help them. It will allow them to prioritise his care without the added external stresses and let them concentrate on what truly matters.”

Her GoFundMe had raised nearly $45,000 by Wednesday morning (AEDT).

Bribie Island, on Queensland’s Moreton Bay, is a popular spot for holidays and day trips.