Local News in Brief : Tortilla Mixer Snares Worker, Breaks Bones

A worker at a Pacoima tortilla factory suffered severe cuts and broken bones Friday when he caught an arm and leg in a dough-mixing machine.

Jesus Jimenez, 46, was in intensive care and serious condition after surgery at Holy Cross Hospital, a hospital official said.

Jimenez was trying to clear dough from a mixer at Graciana Tortilla Factory, 12239 Foothill Blvd., when his right arm caught in the spinning mechanism, said Francisco Escoveo, the company’s sales manager. Jimenez apparently tried to pull free by pushing off with his right leg when his leg became entangled as well, Escoveo said.

It took about 45 minutes for Los Angeles City Fire Department rescue units to disassemble the mixer and free Jimenez, who was then taken by helicopter to the hospital, department spokesman Jim Wells said.

Jimenez’s right arm and leg were both broken, said Rosie O’Meara, a spokeswoman for the hospital.