Surgeons reattach man’s arm severed in accident
John Dineen, a livestock road haulage contractor, was loading animal feed from a conveyor machine into a truck when one of his arms was severed from below the elbow.
A Garda spokesman said Mr Dineen’s arm was located in the conveyer machine and a tourniquet was applied to quell blood loss.
The tourniquet was released every few minutes “to stop Mr Dineen losing blood but also to keep the damaged tissue alive” and ready for surgery, the Garda said.
Arrabawn Co-op said in a statement: “Arrabawn Co-op confirms that following an unfortunate accident at their plant, Dan O’Connor Feeds, Ballysimon Road, Limerick, the company is co-operating fully with the investigation being carried out by the Health & Safety Authority.
“The accident involved a haulage contractor, whose arm was severed, in the loading section of the plant. He was taken by ambulance to the Regional Hospital (Limerick) and later transferred to Cork University Hospital.”
The statement added: “Jerry Clifford, general manager of the plant, said the accident was shocking and regretful, but they were delighted to hear that the man’s arm had been re-attached and that he was making good progress following surgery. Everyone at the plant sent him their best wishes for a speedy recovery.”
Mr Clifford confirmed a section of the plant had been closed temporarily and the company “was doing everything possible to help the HSA with enquiries”.
