Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Taylor has been stood aside after running over and killing a man in the far north Queensland city of Cairns.

Key points: Longreach man, 37, killed outside Cairns district police building

Longreach man, 37, killed outside Cairns district police building ABC told victim was lying on building driveway when he was run over

ABC told victim was lying on building driveway when he was run over Specialist investigators being flown to Cairns

The incident happened in the driveway of the Cairns district police building shortly before 4:30am on Monday.

The ABC was told the victim, 37-year-old Longreach butcher Ryan Savage, who had been visiting Cairns, had been lying in the driveway.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said it took paramedics some time to extract Mr Savage from under the car, but they were eventually able to do so with the help of firefighters.

The ABC has been told 37-year-old Longreach butcher Ryan Savage, who had been visiting Cairns, had been lying in the driveway. ( Facebook )

By that time, he was dead.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said Mr Taylor was stood aside from his role as assistant commissioner primarily to ensure public confidence in the investigation and that "Mr Taylor is understanding of that".

He said Mr Taylor was arriving to work when the incident occurred, but would not comment further as the matter was still under investigation.

"I can only imagine the challenges and the thoughts for Mr Taylor today and while this investigation's undertaken," Mr Stewart said.

"This is a tragedy on so many levels because a male person, 37 years of age, has lost his life.

"It's our job to investigate that and to quite independently ensure a rigorous investigation is undertaken."

Mr Stewart said he telephoned Mr Taylor on Monday morning to check on his welfare.

"He's holding up pretty well and we have an ongoing process in place to manage his needs as well.

"I suspect Mr Taylor will take a period of leave."

Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor ran over the man in the driveway of the Cairns district police building. ( ABC News )

A number of specialist investigators are being flown to Cairns and the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission has been notified.

Mr Stewart also offered his condolences from the Queensland Police Service to Mr Savage's family.

Queensland Police Union spokesman Marty Bristow voiced praise for Mr Taylor.

"We are horrified with what's happened and hope that it gets resolved as soon as possible so he's back in charge," Mr Bristow said.

"He looks after his troops and is a great supporter of police up here."