A WAREHOUSE worker was airlifted to hospital yesterday morning after being crushed by a forklift truck.

The accident happened at the headquarters of storage firm the Potter Group at Melmerby, near Ripon, shortly after 9am.

Warehouse operative Wayne Crick was in one of the warehouses when he became trapped between the forklift and a pallet of goods.

He suffered crush injuries to his abdomen and chest, and was taken to Harro- gate District Hospital by the Yorkshire Air Amb- ulance.

Fire crews were also called to the scene, after reports that Mr Crick, who is in his 30s, was trapped.

Matthew Lamb, managing director of the company, said Mr Crick is due to be released from hospital today, and that he had suffered no broken bones in the accident.

Mr Lamb added: "Potter Group has informed the Health and Safety Executive of the incident.

"We will be meeting with their officers in the next few days to review the circumstances.

"The company will also undertake its own internal investigation to ensure that all statutory training and work instructions were complied with."