A lift engineer joked about breaking a fingernail while firefighters tried to free his badly injured hand from machinery.

The man, in his early 20s, had been working on a lift in the maternity ward of St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, when his arm became trapped.

The lift had unexpectedly moved, dragging him into its cable and wheel mechanism, yesterday.

Although he was unable to move, the engineer managed to use his other hand to call the emergency services on his mobile phone.

Firefighters from Chichester and paramedics attended.

Despite being in considerable pain, the engineer was conscious throughout the ordeal and helped firefighters as they manoeuvred his arm around a large pulley and then released his fingers from the cable.

Although two of the fingers on his right hand were almost severed in the accident, the engineer joked with firefighters: "Oh dear, I might have broken a nail."

After initial treatment at St Richard's, the engineer was transferred to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, for surgery.

Fire service Sub Officer Steve Dummer praised the man's bravery and the actions of his crews and paramedics.

He said: "It was a difficult rescue and we were very cramped for space. We were very concerned about making the injuries worse by moving the lift machinery."