Steven Lewenden, 34, was feeding paper into a machine when he was pulled in and trapped on a reeling drum. Eventually freed from the equipment by paramedics and taken to hospital, damage to Lewenden’s arm was so severe that doctors had to amputate his limb at the elbow.
The accident happened at the closure-threatened International Paper mill in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. The firm and the Health and Safety Executive have launched inquiries into Tuesday’s accident, and company spokesman reportedly said that Lewenden received first aid treatment for his injuries on-site and was later transferred by ambulance to hospital in Aberdeen. Production on paper machine was allegedly halted for approximately three hours. An internal investigation is under way.