Toddler seriously injured in farm accident (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Toddler seriously injured in farm accident

2:40pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News

A TODDLER has been airlifted to hospital after her arm became trapped in farm machinery.

The 18-month-old girl became trapped in a conveyor belt at a farm on Copgrove Lane, Farnham between Ripon and Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, shortly before 9.30am yesterday.

Fire crews spent 45 minutes dismantling the machine in order to release the girl, who paramedics said had been seriously injured.

Dave Winspear, of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It was a conveyor machine and she had actually got caught up inside some of the rollers and we had to take it apart to release her.

"Most of the crew are fathers and they were obviously very concerned about the child and wanted to release her as quickly and as safely as possible."

Yorkshire Air Ambulance flew the girl, accompanied by her mother, to Leeds General Infirmary.

An air ambulance spokeswoman said: “While we take all jobs seriously, it is more poignant when it is a small child.”

The Health and Safety Executive is making inquiries before deciding whether to launch a full investigation.