Man airlifted to Addenbrooke's from Downham Market after hand cut off

Residents were left in shock this afternoon as a man was airlifted to hospital from a West Norfolk town with a severed hand.

An eyewitness has told the Lynn News how a crowd gathered on Nelson Avenue in Downham around 12.30pm after a man accidentally cut his hand off on a bench saw.

The man, believed to be in his 60s or 70s, was taken to the Memorial Field in Downham, where he was then airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital.

The eyewitness said: "He had been collecting scrap wood for his son and a crowd gathered near him. The man was lying there screaming and everyone was saying he has cut his hand.

"People were helping to put his hand on ice to try and preserve it. My neighbour is a nurse and was helping him at the scene. There was blood everywhere."

A fundraising page has been set up by Amber Ward in aid of the man and family.

It states: "His wife and him are going to be traumatised and I want to do a little something to put their mind at ease for money, food and a little something to make them feel just a little better at this really difficult time.

"I do not know the couple personally, but I will be taking the donations and I am also putting together a hamper full of donations including items from local residents and the local bakery, to their house directly.

"This has already been a horrible year and I know together we can make this a little bit better for them."