A 26-year-old meat worker who nearly lost his hand in a band saw accident on Monday says he thought he was going to die.
Bryan Speers from Mangakino underwent a 13-hour operation in Waikato Hospital on Monday as surgeons reattached his partially severed left wrist.
It will be some time before it is known if the operation has been successful.
Mr Speers says he was working with the band saw at a meat works in Bennydale when his wrist caught the blade and then he saw his hand flapping around.
He says he thought he was going to die when he saw all the blood.
Mr Speers says he grabbed his hand and walked down to the office where he was helped by other workers.
He was flown to Waikato Hospital by helicopter.
Waikato District Health Board says surgeons from a number of disciplines were involved in the intricate operation.
