Contractor caught in Xray machine

A CONTRACTOR at Dunedin Hospital was seriously injured after his arm was trapped in an Xray machine.

Firefighters from Dunedin City and Willowbank were called to free the man shortly before 9am yesterday.

WorkSafe New Zealand is making initial inquiries into the matter and the Southern Dis trict Health Board is investigating.

‘‘The incident occurred while preparing a radiology room in the emergency department for maintenance work,’’ SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming said.

‘‘The circumstances of what has occurred is now the subject of further investigations.’’

The man was treated in the hospital’s emergency department and was ‘‘progressing favour ably’’, Mr Fleming said.

A WorkSafe spokesman confirmed the health and safety watch dog was aware of the incident.

Station Officer Cameron McLachlan, of Dunedin City, said firefighters used an angle grinder and the jaws of life to free the man.

‘‘His arm had become trapped . . . between two bits of metal that had closed on it,’’ he said. ‘‘The machine had a large coiled spring which was holding his arm clamped in between these two bits of metal.

‘‘Obviously, he was in the right place. The doctors were doing what they do, so we didn’t have to stabilise him because the doctors were already doing that.’’

Firefighters worked for about 20 minutes before the man was freed.

At the ready . . . A firefighter carries the jaws of life into Dunedin Hospital to free a contractor whose arm was stuck in an Xray machine.

PHOTOS: STEPHEN JAQUIERY Emergency call . . . Fire appliances outside Dunedin Hospital yesterday morning after a contractor’s arm was seriously injured.