Wellington boy stuck in vending machine

A four-year-old had to be rescued by firemen after getting his hand stuck in a Coke vending machine for more than an hour at Wellington's Johnsonville Shopping Centre last night.

Nathan Thomson stayed calm and sucked on a lollipop as fireman, covered him with a tarpaulin, while smashing the vending machine's glass front to gain access, The Dominion Post reported today.

"He knew it was going on, but he wasn't too worried," his father Allan Thomson said.

About 20 people cheered for Nathan when he was freed.

He thanked them with a cheerful wave and a grin.

A Coke rep with a key tried to free Nathan, with not success.

"He was well and truly jammed up to his elbow," Mr Thomson said.

- NZPA