An emergency rescue operation took place to free a man who became trapped in rubble while working at a Flax Bourton Quarry.

Emergency teams were called to Tarmac’s Stancombe Quarry at just before 1pm today after reports that a worker had become trapped while clearing out a silo.

The man was clearing out the silo at the bottom of the quarry, where stones are stored before being crushed down, when some rocks landed on top of him.

He managed to clamber free on top of the rubble but his hand remained wedged in the rocks.

Twenty fire fighters from Avon Fire and Rescue rushed to aid of the man.

A line rescue has been set up and a fire fighter and a paramedic have gone into the silo to assess the man and decide the best way of getting him out.

The man, who is not seriously injured, is said to be in a stable condition.

The quarry has been closed off while the rescue operation is carried out.

A spokesman for Avon Fire and Rescue said: “The rescue operation is continuing and at the moment paramedics are assessing his condition before a decision is made on the best way to get the man out of the silo.”

Drivers arriving at the quarry had to be turned away following the incident, with some parking their vehicles in Stancombe Lane.

One driver, who did not want to be named, said: “We knew there had been an incident and were just told to turn our trucks around as we couldn’t go in.

“We were told that the quarry was closed and there would be no more work this afternoon.”

A spokesperson for Tarmac said: “I can confirm there has been a minor incident at Stancombe Quarry involving a Tarmac employee who has not been seriously injured.

“We will release further details in due course.”

UPDATE. The man was freed at 3pm Tuesday afternoon. He escaped serious injury.