Printer’s horror ordeal

Photo: DARREN ROBINSON

TRAPPED . . . Rescuers attempt to fee a man’s arm from machinery at Print Right in Oldham

Doctors amputate machine-trapped man’s arm

DOCTORS had to make the horrific decision to amputate a man’s arm at his workplace after it became trapped in machinery.

Dozens of firefighters, paramedics and police officers rushed to the gruesome accident at Print Right, Roscoe Street, Oldham at 10.30am yesterday.

A 49-year-old man had his right arm trapped in the rollers of an industrial print machine and, despite 17 firefighters battling for an hour to free him, doctors were left with little choice but to amputate. The man remained conscious throughout the ordeal but was sedated.

As shocked colleagues and friends watched in horror, he was stretcherd to an ambulance and taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital to undergo further surgery.

Oldham Evening Chronicle chief electrician Alun Whitehead and caretaker Ken Bamblin rushed to the scene after firefighters searched for engineers to help.

Mr Whitehead used his expertise from dealing with the printing presses that used to run at the Chronicle’s near-by Union Street building to advise them.

He said: “I told them you will have to strip it, nut and bolt, from the top down. I asked if they had the kit and lifting gear, which they said they would get.

“But if they had pulled it down mechanically it would have taken far too long in that situation to get him out. They wouldn’t have had the time.

“These machines don’t take prisoners. I saw him and I saw his hand and he didn’t look well and you could hear him. It’s such a shame for him.”

It’s believed the man had been feeding something into the machine when it dragged his hand and arm through. Guards should normally prevent such accidents.

Firefighters had attempted to use hydraulic spreading equipment to free him.

Station commander Paul Etches said: “The crew have worked really hard and well together to do everything they possibly could to release his arm from the machinery, but due to the technology of the machinery and the complication of the injury it required intervention.”

He said the crews were used to dealing with such distressing incidents, adding: “We work with people in distress and it’s part and parcel of the role.”

He added: “We would like to offer our appreciation to a number of local employees who attended to offer their assistance and expertise at the scene of the incident.”

The Health and Safety Executive is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Staff at the commercial printing firm said they were too upset to comment.