Engineers have been called in to investigate an awning collapse that claimed a man's life on Queensland's Gold Coast.

A 54-year-old man died and three women were hurt after the collapse on James Street at Burleigh Heads.

Police say the awning, along the busy shopping strip, gave way without warning just before midday on Sunday and pinned the man to a wall as he walked by.

The man died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics and onlookers.

The injured women were taken to the Gold Coast Hospital.