A FATHER today spoke of his horror after his son was crushed and seriously injured at work.

Keiran Rhodes-Taylor, of Central Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, is on a ventilator in Blackburn Infirmary after suffering a fractured skull and broken jaw.

The accident happened at 3.20pm on Thursday at Joseph Metcalf Ltd, Vine Mill, Brookside Lane, Oswaldtwistle, where the former Mount Carmel pupil has worked as a production worker since October.

He sustained his injuries after falling into a rolling machine used to flatten bags at the factory, which manufactures fertiliser and compost.

His father, Duncan McCartney, revealed that the 18-year-old had been on the machine for only half an hour and was learning to use it.

He said: "He's still on a ventilator. They have done one brain scan and that's looking okay but they are going to try to bring him round today if they can.

"If not, it will be another 24 hours. Because of the swelling round the brain they want to give him some rest but they are not sure about his lungs and kidneys.

"He had been on this machine only half an hour when it happened. This is the feedback I have been getting off some of his work colleagues.

"He's lost his teeth, broken his jaw and fractured his skull. His mum is heartbroken, absolutely devastated."

Mr McCartney, who is studying psychiatry at Lancaster University, called for the company to provide counselling for Keiran when he recovers, to help him deal with the trauma of what has happened to him.

"Everyone can see the physical side of things but it's the psychological side of things when he comes out of it," he added. The accident is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Duncan Metcalf, operations director, for Joseph Metcalf Ltd, said the company was co-operating fully with the inquiry.

He confirmed Keiran had been on the machine for half an hour. "He was being trained and he was with his trainer when the accident happened," he said.

"His colleagues are very upset, they know him very well. We are a very close-knit company.

"We would like to wish Keiran and his family the very best."