A WORKER was seriously injured when he was dragged into machinery at a sawmill.

Jack Parsons, 44, of Moor Close Farm, Esp Lane, Barnoldswick, was working at Railside Trading Company, Mill Lane, Gisburn, on a conveyor-belt feeding a saw when his clothing caught on the drive chain.

He was dragged into the machinery and suffered serious chest, back and arm injuries.

Mr Parsons was taken to Burnley General Hospital and then transferred to a specialist unit at St James's Hospital, Leeds where he was today said to be seriously ill but stable. A Lancashire police spokesman said: "Initially his injuries were thought to be life-threatening. His condition stabilised in hospital and his injuries are not now considered to be life-threatening."

Mr Parsons is single and lives with his parents Eric and Daphne. He has worked at the timber yard for two years.

Mrs Parsons said: "They operated on his arm over the weekend and they're keeping a close eye on it to see how he's going on. He's due to have a scan on his back today.

"He can still feel his hand. He's got five fractured ribs and he's in terrible pain but they are giving him drugs to help with it.

"He's been knocked about a lot and it's going to take time before he's well again.

"I don't care how long it takes as long as he walks back through the door again."

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the accident, which happened at 11.10am on Friday, and has banned use of the machinery until its inquiries are completed.

No one was available at the firm to comment.

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