A man whose head was impaled on machinery earlier tonight has been freed after an hour-and-a-half-long ordeal.
Emergency services were called to the Affco meatworks near Te Puke at about 7.10pm.
An ambulance spokesperson, Norm Ngatai, said the man, who was believed to be in his 40s, was impaled through the head by a hook on an animal carcass spreader.
He said firefighters freed him just after 9pm, and he is now in a moderate condition in Tauranga Hospital.
