Worker seriously injured trapped in machinery 15 metres in the air at Telford factory

The 47-year-old worker became trapped at GKN Wheels and Structures, in Hadley, at about 10pm on Thursday.

He became trapped in a large metal pressing machine used to make automotive parts. He was given advanced trauma care at the scene by hazardous area response team paramedics, before being taken to the major trauma centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service sent three appliances, including the rescue tender and an operations officer from Wellington.

Crews used line rescue equipment and ropes to free the man from the machinery.

Fire crews were at the scene for just under an hour and a half rescuing the worker from the machine.

West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Mercia Police were also in attendance.

Ella Finan, a West Midlands Ambulance Spokeswoman, said: “Crews arrived to find the patient, a man, who had suffered serious injuries.

"Due to the man being at height on a raised piece of machinery, hazardous area response team paramedics used safe working at height techniques, along with the fire service, to reach the patient.

"The man was given advanced trauma care on scene before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to a major trauma centre for further emergency care.”

West Mercia Police spokeswoman Eleanor Harris said: "At 10.15pm last night police were informed about an industrial accident at GKN Sankey in Queensway, Hadley.

"A 47-year-old man was taken to hospital, where he is currently in a stable condition.

Transferred

"The extent of his injuries are not yet known. Health and Safety Executive have been informed."

The site in Telford, which manufactures and engineers parts for the automotive, construction and agricultural industry, says it is now working with internal and external officers looking into the incident.

Sali Morris, marketing and communications director at GKN Wheels and Structures, said: "We can confirm that one of our employees was injured on the night shift at our Telford site in Hadley.

"He was attended to by the fire brigade and ambulance service before being transferred to hospital.

"It was one of our areas where we have presses and he was working at height.

"Our thoughts now are with the injured party, his family and friends although we haven't had any information on the extent of his injuries at this point.

"We've started an onsite investigation and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

"We're now cooperating with internal and external officers to ensure the correct steps are taken.

"Our priority is always with the injured individual and then we will start to look at the cause and remedy of the situation."

Natalie Dunn, a Health and Safety Executive spokesperson said: “HSE is aware of the incident and making initial enquiries."