A Shropshire farm worker was airlifted to hospital today after his arm was crushed in machinery.

The 22-year-old man, was taken to the major trauma unit at Birmingham’s Selly Oak Hospital after the incident at Ryton Farm, in Ryton, near Dorrington, at about 11.45am today.

Emergency services said he suffered “serious” crush injuries to his left hand and wrist.

Two rapid response vehicles were sent to the scene by West Midlands Ambulance Service along with the County Air Ambulance.

Firefighters were also sent to cut the man free, but he had already been released from the machinery before they arrived.

The man, who has not yet been named, was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital.

John Hawker, of the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “We were called at 11.48am to a farm in Ryton, Dorrington, to reports of a man with a traumatic injury.

“We treated a man believed to be in his early 20s with crush injuries to his left hand and wrist.

“He was treated at the scene and airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital, a major trauma centre in Birmingham.

“The hospital was alerted to their arrival.

“It looks as if these are serious crush injuries.”

Mr Hawker said it was not known how the incident had happened or what machinery was involved.

A spokesman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were called to the scene at 11.55am.

He said: “We did not have to release anybody. The ambulance was called. 

“We came away at 12.12pm.”

The boss of the farm, who did not wish to be named, said the man is 22 years old and a member of staff at the farm, which also has a number of holiday cottages on site. 

He said the man’s hand had got trapped in machinery but he did not know yet know how serious the injuries were.

The farm some distance  from the main road and includes a fishing pool for people staying in the holiday cottages.

By Rebecca Lawrence