A WORKER was airlifted to hospital yesterday after an accident involving a skip lorry at James Dewhurst Ltd, in Altham.

Emergency services were called just after 10.30am after the man, in his forties, was injured.

It is believed that the accident happened when the employee was in the cab of the lorry at the textile manufacturing company in Altham Lane.

The mechanism on the skip failed and it jolted downwards, the force of which caused injuries to the man’s back and neck.

Firefighters from Hyndburn Fire Station were called to help free the injured man.

He was then taken on a spinal board by air ambulance to the Royal Black-burn Hospital.

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The man’s injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

A spokeswoman for North West Air Ambulance said: “A patient thought to be a man in his forties, with a suspected back injury, was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.”

One of the firefighters who was at the scene said: “A man has been in a skip accident.

“Something has gone wrong with the skip and it’s jolted down, injuring his back and neck.”

A spokesman from the Health and Safety Executive said the incident had not yet been referred to them.

He added that they would expect to receive a report within the next few days.

Nobody from James Dewhurst Ltd, was available for comment yesterday.