A WORKER was rushed to hospital with “serious leg injuries” after an incident at Basildon’s tractor plant. 

An air ambulance landed at the New Holland Tractor Plant, in Cranes Farm Road, on Wednesday afternoon with workers telling the Echo a “wheel fell” on the worker at the production factory. 

CNH Industrial, which manages the tractor plant, confirmed that an incident took place at the plant and that the worker is “currently recovering in Basildon Hospital”. 

The firm stated that a contractor from a third-party company was involved in the incident. 

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 2.15pm on Wednesday 30th November to an accident on Cranes Farm Road in Basildon. An ambulance and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. 

“The patient was treated at the scene for serious leg injuries and transported to Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

The Health and Safety Executive confirmed it has been informed of the incident, however a spokesman stated the incident did not meet the criteria for an investigation at this stage. 

A spokesman for CNH industrial firm said: “CNH Industrial confirms that a contractor from a third-party company operating at the company’s facility in Basildon, was involved in an accident yesterday. Swift care was provided, and he is currently recovering in Basildon Hospital.

“The company is following his progress and wishes him a speedy recovery. “

Following the news, Basildon councillor Sam Gascoyne said: “There needs to be an investigation to figure out what happened and have a serious discussion on how to make the workplace safer. But without the full details on how it happened I can’t speak much on what to do.

“But a full investigation is needed. This is awful news, My heart is with them, and I hope they make a swift recovery. My thoughts are also with their family at this time.”

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “HSE is aware of an incident but based on the initial information provided, we do not believe it meets our incident selection criteria.”