A WORKER who was dragged into an unguarded machine was told by doctors he was inches from death.

Darren Foley, 24, has scars and still has weekly visits to hospital after the accident, in which his left arm was trapped in a tyre-shredding machine.

An air ambulance was called to take him to hospital as firefighters cut him free from the device.

He suffered a double break to his arm, damaged muscle and torn tendons and spent weeks in hospital. Doctors at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, told his mother, Christine, 58, he was inches from death.

Mr Foley's stepfather, John McCormack, 50, said last night: "Darren is a strong lad and it was only his own strength that saved his life."

North East Tyre Collections Limited, formerly of Lazenby, east Cleveland, but now based in Middlesbrough, was yesterday fined £8,700.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told Guisborough magistrates how Mr Foley had reached towards the powerful rollers to retrieve a discarded piece of rubber when he was dragged forwards and trapped.

Mr Foley, who was hired in January, has undergone six operations and has had a metal bar inserted into his arm.

Joint company director Matthew Lee yesterday admitted failing to ensure safe machinery at work.

He also pleaded guilty to not having employer's liability insurance. The court heard how adequate guards were not in place, which could have prevented the accident.

Mr McCormack said: "There should be a law to check if a company has employer's insurance.

"When we found out they were not insured, we were absolutely astounded.

"Darren was hired through the New Deal programme at the JobCentre, so to be taken on by a company working illegally is shocking. He could have been killed."

Laura Lyons, prosecuting, told the court how Mr Foley, of South Bank, Middlesbrough, noticed pieces of rubber were falling from the conveyor belt and reached in to pick up a discarded piece when he became entangled.

The court was told that since the accident, the business, which was set up in December 2002, no longer operated machines.

The firm was also ordered to pay £1,020 costs.