Foot chopped off in accident at Port of Tauranga

A man's foot was severed after it got caught in a winch at the Port of Tauranga today. File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

The severed foot of a man involved in a grisly accident at the Port of Tauranga this morning was transferred with him to hospital.

St John paramedic Gary Bishell said the 41-year-old man and his foot were taken to Tauranga Hospital via ambulance.

The foot was cut off by a wire rope, he said.

Genera Ltd fumigation, general and business development manager Mike Goss confirmed an employee had his foot cut off just above the ankle in a winch accident.

Mr Bishell said the man's workmates did a great job of administering first aid until ambulance staff arrived.

In such cases doctors will try to reattach the foot if viable, he said.

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment communications advisor Mark Smith said three health and safety inspectors were on site investigating the accident.

The ministry investigates all workplace accidents where someone is killed or seriously injured.

Sara Lunam, Port of Tauranga corporate services manager confirmed that a man had been involved in an accident at the port this morning and been taken to hospital.

Ms Lunam said the man was not a port employee.