A man in his 50s has been airlifted to Westmead Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, after suffering severe hand trauma in an accident at Cowra Concrete Products.
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The man had his arm caught in a piece of machinery which resulted in his hand being trapped in a roller with up to two-and-a-half tonne of weight on it.
Emergency services flocked to the scene about 11am and spent the next hour-and-a-half freeing the man.
NSW Ambulance Duty Inspector Peter Rowlands described the job as “really, really difficult” but believes the man’s hand will be saved.
“Initially we were worried about what it would be like once we got it out, once we cut the cable. Once we cut the cable and took it off and had a look his hand was is in a remarkable condition and we believe they will probably save it,” Inspector Rowlands said.
About 12.40pm, an ambulance at the scene drove the man to Cowra Airport where he was transferred to an ambulance helicopter.
Mr Rowlands said the cause of the accident was unknown.
“He is the only one that can tell us exactly what’s happened. We’ve spoken to the manager and they are not sure. He is very, very lucky to have his hand. He’ll have a long, protracted rehabilitation. That’s a lot better than what we thought initially because all we could see was the tips of his fingers.”
Mr Rowlands added that emergency services prepared to take extreme action.
“We had to set up in case we had to take some extreme action. It’s absolutely amazing how much the body will take in an injury. It’s just incredible,” he said.
“It was a pretty challenging job. The first paramedics on scene assessed it and said we need some expertise here. We needed everyone who was there, it was really good to get in and support this man.”
It’s understood the man in his 50s who suffered the injury has worked at the business since he was 15-years-old.
“They are pretty upset. He’s a valued member of their workforce. They will be very keen to follow his progress.”
The man also suffered arm injuries.
11am
Emergency services are currently on their way to an accident in Cowra
Two ambulances, four fire trucks and police and a helicopter are at a Young Road business.
No further details are available at this stage.
Update
Possible worker trapped in machinery at Cowra Concrete Products.
Helicopter has landed at Sid Kallas Oval to airlift person.
1pm Update
The man has been released from the machinery at Cowra Concrete Products and is on his way to hospital by helicopter.
More to come.
