A woman suffered burns when she tripped and fell into hot water at Ashburton's Talleys plant.
The woman, believed to be in her 30s, was flown to Christchurch Hospital after the accident last night, plant manager Grant Nicholson said.
Although the burns were serious, she was expected to make a full recovery.
Mr Nicholson said taps had been opened up to send hot water down a drain - something they'd always done - but last night the woman slipped and fell in to the water.
He said the water was about 80degC when it left the vessels, so would not have been boiling.
