Girl seriously hurt in farm machinery

A TODDLER had to be airlifted to hospital after her hand became trapped in farm machinery.

Firefighters spent 45 minutes dismantling a machine to release the 18-month-old girl from a small egg conveyor belt at a farm in Copgrove Lane, Farnham, Knaresborough, at about 9.30am yesterday.

The girl was flown to Leeds General Infirmary with her mother.

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Dave Winspear, from 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 actually fathers and they were obviously very concerned about the child and wanted to release her as quickly and as safely as possible.”

The youngster was airlifted to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance but her injuries are not understood to be life-threatening. Inquiries into the incident were continuing yesterday and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been informed.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “The girl had trapped her hand in a small egg conveyor belt on the farm and after being freed by the fire service was taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary.

“The girl is being treated in hospital for a serious injury to her hand, however her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

“The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the incident and is making inquiries.”