Aerospace factory still partially closed after worker's arm severed (From Bournemouth Echo)

Magellan Aerospace factory still partially closed after worker's arm severed

4:20am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Joanna Codd

PART of a Bournemouth factory remains closed off after a 23-year-old factory worker’s arm was severed in a horrific accident on Monday.

The local man, who has not been named, was treated at the scene by first aider colleagues at Magellan Aerospace UK in Wallisdown Road before paramedics arrived shortly after 12.30pm.

Police escorted the ambulance to Southampton Hospital, where he underwent surgery. His family has been informed and his employer has asked people to respect their privacy.

Shocked colleagues, some of whom had witnessed the accident, were given the chance to go home for the rest of the afternoon. The casualty had been working for the company for nearly five years and was in his improver year after a serving a four year apprenticeship in the machine shop.

Mary Walker, human resources director for Magellan, said: “The company wishes to extend its best wishes to the young man and his family during this difficult time. Unfortunately the company has no update on his condition at this stage but he continues to be in our thoughts and prayers.

“We understand there were a number of operators around at the time, some of whom went to help him. Operators were released to go home if they felt upset about it.

“Accidents of this nature rarely occur and the company has the highest standards of health and safety within its facilities. The company is working with the Health and Safety Executive and cannot comment on the detail of the accident until investigations are completed.”

The area where the young man had been working remains cordoned off pending the expected arrival of HSE investigators later this week. The rest of the factory reopened yesterday and the company is offering counselling for employees affected by the accident.

Magellan Aerospace UK is a subsidiary of a Canadian company. It employs about 350 people on the Bournemouth and Poole sides of Wallisdown Road, one of its two main manufacturing sites in the UK. The company makes and assembles aircraft components.