KEY POINTS:
A man who lost both his legs in an industrial accident near New Plymouth yesterday is in a stable condition and awaiting further surgery.
Ben Hekenui, 36, lost both legs below the knees when he became trapped in a paper bailing machine at a recycling plant at Bell Block, northeast of New Plymouth.
A Taranaki Base Hospital spokeswoman said this afternoon Mr Hekenui was "doing as well as could be expected" after surgery continued into last night and was talking with family.
Orthopaedic surgeon Andrew Glenny also said he was doing "remarkably well", but would need further surgery.
A workmate at the recycling plant revealed Mr Hekenui was conscious after being trapped and had yelled out to his co-workers.
"He was yelling out `my legs are chopped off'," the workmate told the Taranaki Daily News.
The man said there was an emergency button on the machine Mr Hekenui had been using but it "was too late" for him to push it.
The accident was similar to an incident two years ago when another New Plymouth man, Chris Fromont, lost his legs and an arm in an industrial mulcher.
The Department of Labour is investigating yesterday's incident.
A spokesman described the piece of equipment as a compacting machine that bales up refuse, primarily cardboard and recyclables, on a conveyer system.
Mr Hekenui's father, Paul, said through the hospital that his son was doing well under the circumstances.
- NZPA
