ORLANDO, Fla. --
A man's leg was severed after getting stuck in a bailer Friday night at the Taft Recycling Center.
Orange County Fire Department officials said the incident happened in the 300 block of West Seventh Street in South Orlando just before 8 p.m.
The 20-year-old worker was recycling cardboard when his leg got caught in the machine, OCFD officials said.
Rescue crews said even with an amputated leg, he managed to hit the emergency stop button.
The battalion chief at the scene said the man was stable and in remarkably good spirits.
"I'm not sure exactly what happened," said Orange County Battalion Chief Bessie Hudson. "He was in the room alone when his leg got amputated. I understand he called for help."
The 20-year-old, who has not been identified, was transported to the Orlando Regional Medical Center along with his severed leg.
"We did what we could to save the amputated part and transport it to the hospital," Hudson said. "Once it gets there, it's up to doctors."
Managers at the facility said they're doing an internal investigation to figure out what went wrong. They said they'll work in conjunction with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Deputies investigated and determined that it was an accident and no foul play was involved.
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