Man's Arm Freed From Meat Grinder

BURRILLVILLE, R.I. -- Police said rescue crews freed a worker whose left arm became stuck in a meat grinder at a Burrillville meat company Wednesday.

Rescue crews were able to get him out shortly after 4:30 p.m. Police Col. Bernard Gannon said the man, identified as Hector Leon, 20, of Providence, R.I., was stuck in the meat grinding machine for about two and a half hours, and was alert and talking during the ordeal.

A firefighter said the reason it took so long to free Leon is because the machine his hand was caught in was metal and emergency crews had to use metal-cutting equipment to break down the machine to extricate his hand.

He said he was not sure how badly injured Leon's arm or hand were.

Leon was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where a spokeswoman said he was listed in fair condition Thursday morning.

Authorities said the accident happened at a plant operated by the Italian-style meat company Daniele, Inc., headquartered in Pascoag, R.I., which produces gourmet meats such as prosciutto, mortadella and salami. Its Web site calls the company a "leading maker of Italian-style gourmet products."

A company spokeswoman said Daniele would not be able to determine exactly what happened until federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration workers arrived Thursday.

"At this point, we're in the process of investigating," said Jenny Heffernan.

She said she had spoken to Leon's family, however, and they told her that doctors were able to reattach his arm, which had been caught in the machine "from the elbow down."