A BUILDER'S arm was torn off in a freak accident at work.

Martin McNamara, aged 22, of Hollin Hey Road, Johnson Fold, Bolton, was working on an apartment block in the Deakins Business Park in Egerton, when the accident happened at 1.50pm yesterday.

His right arm became stuck in a screeding machine, which is used to make cement for flooring.

Paramedics were called to the scene and took him to hospital for emergency surgery as fire crews battled to recover his arm, which was ripped off by a rotating propeller just below the shoulder.

It was then packed in ice and rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital where surgeons desperately battled to re-attach it. But their attempts were unsuccessful.

Ian Read, watch manager at Bolton north fire station, said: "It was a very nasty job. The guy had turned off the machine but the brake wasn't on properly.

"He was conscious afterwards and his colleagues were naturally very upset."

It is understood Mr McNamara was working as a floorer at the Deakins Business Park in Blackburn Road where apartment blocks are being built.

Mr McNamara was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital. He was later transferred to Wythenshawe where the seven-hour operation to try to re-attach the limb was carried out.

Two of Mr McNamara's fellow workers were treated for shock but declined hospital treatment.

A building site worker, who asked not to be named, said: "I think he was working on the floors when something happened and he lost his arm. It's a big shock. I hope he is all right."

Mark Wilkin, of John C Wilkin Ltd, the man's employer, declined to comment.

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and has launched an investigation.

Mr McNamara's father, Chris McNamara, who runs the Schooner Pub, in Johnson Fold, said: "I got a call from one his friends yesterday lunchtime saying his arm had been badly hurt but it wasn't until I got to the hospital that I realised he had lost it.

"He's not been able to speak yet because he was drugged up after the operation.

"I'm still in a state of shock and we're just waiting to see how he is when he comes round."

Martin McNamara has worked for the firm for between two and three years.