A man whose face was impaled on machinery at his Rangiuru workplace was rushed to hospital last night.
Firefighters and St John staff were called to AFFCO in Rangiuru about 7.20pm after receiving calls a man in his 40s had been impaled on a piece of equipment.
Fire service northern communications shift manager Scott Osmond said firefighters arrived at the meatworks to find one person "impaled with an injury to the face - the cheek".
Firefighters set to work extricating the man once St John staff had arrived and stabilised him.
He was finally freed about an hour later and taken to hospital.
St John territory manager Ross Clarke said the man was transported to Tauranga Hospital with moderate injuries.
"All in all it sounds like he was very lucky," Mr Clarke said.
Worksafe New Zealand was believed to be at the scene last night.
AFFCO could not be reached for comment last night.
No further details were available before the paper went to print last night as emergency services continued to deal with the situation.