19/09/2006

Teenager loses arm in accident at butcher's shop

A teenage boy has had to have his arm amputated after it became trapped in a mincer in a butcher's shop in Greater Manchester.

Sam Ashworth, 15, was working at J&B Fitton Ltd in Shaw on Saturday when the accident happened.

Sam's arm was pulled into the machine and was trapped there for two hours.

Surgeons were called to the scene and it was decided to amputate the teenager's right arm above the elbow.

Sam is now recovering in hospital, where his condition is described as stable.

Sam's father Stephen Ashworth, from Thornham Road, Shaw, thanked emergency services for saving Sam's life.

He said that they had been forced to act quickly, but had made the right decision and were "absolutely fantastic".

A health and safety investigation is now underway.

It is understood that there are no age restrictions on operating the machinery in which Sam's arm became trapped.

(KMcA/EF)

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