A FARM worker suffered horrific injuries today after becoming trapped in a potato harvester. The accident left Martin Smy, from Woodbridge, in need of surgery after his arm became intangled in the agricultural machine.

A FARM worker suffered horrific injuries today after becoming trapped in a potato harvester.

The accident left Martin Smy, from Woodbridge, in need of surgery after his arm became intangled in the agricultural machine.

Mr Smy was farming on land just off the B1083 at Sutton Hoo when his arm was snared.

The incident happened shortly after 5am when the 45-year-old was working on machinery used to lift potatoes.

Two contracted farmers Murray Phillips and Stephen Muttock, who were working on swedes in a neighbouring field, rushed to help their trapped friend.

The two men then manged to free Mr Smy and his damaged arm from the machine.

Mr Muttock said: "It crushed his arm and took all of the muscle away. He was in a lot of pain."

"Murray called for an ambulance and I went up to the road in a JCB to meet it.

"The ambulance was here in about ten minutes."

Mr Smy was then taken to Ipswich hospital and was undergoing surgery on his forearm this morning.

The men do not know how Mr Smy became trapped in the machinery.

Mr Phillips added: "I don't really know how it happened. He was cleaning the machine down at the time."

Mr Smy used to work with the two men but now works for another farmer on land rented from Sutton Hoo Farms.