Southampton City Council has launched an investigation into a lorry incident that left a city dustman with severe hand injuries

The Southampton City Council employee trapped his thumb in the machinery as a wheelie bin was being lifted into the back of a refuse lorry.

People living in Mansel Road East, Millbrook, rushed out of their homes after hearing him scream in agony.

The employee, who has not been named, was cut free by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and taken to Southampton General Hospital for emergency surgery.

One witness said: “He was putting one of the recycling bins into the lorry when he caught his thumb in the mechanism.

“He was in a lot of pain and very distressed. I think there’s a real danger he could lose his thumb.”

Quick-thinking colleagues halted the lifting mechanism, preventing an even worse injury, as soon as they realised what had happened.

People living near the scene of the drama said the dustman was given gas and air in a bid to help him cope with the pain.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service was alerted just before 8am and sent crews from three stations – Redbridge, St Mary’s and Totton.

Fellow dustmen tried to comfort their colleague as they waited for help to arrive.

Last night a South Central Ambulance spokesman said the casualty suffered “severe” hand injuries in the incident.

“He was treated by crews and then taken to Southampton General Hospital for further treatment,” said the spokesman.

The accident happened just north of Mansel Road East’s junction with Derwent Road.

Horrified residents stood in their front gardens and watched anxiously as the emergency services converged on the scene and mounted rescue operation to free the trapped dustman.

The city council launched an inquiry and alerted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Mitch Sanders, head of regulatory and city services at the council, said: “Senior council staff and emergency services immediately attended the scene and a full investigation of this incident is under way. The HSE has also been informed.

“The injured member of staff was taken to hospital and received treatment for his injury. We extend our best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

“Once the facts are known we will make sure any lessons are learned to prevent a re-occurrence of such an unfortunate incident.”

The spokesman said he was unable to provide any further details of the accident or the injuries suffered by the victim.