Man with Arm Stuck in Tortilla Machine Taken to San Diego Hospital

Aug. 22, 2024

At one point during the extrication, the medical director considered amputating the man's arm.

A man fell into the top of an industrial-sized tortilla making machine at a San Diego market while filling it with dough.

His arm went all of the way and got stuck. Other employees rushed to shut off the machine.

Firefighters had to disassemble the machine to remove the victim and had to prop him up as he was hanging from the top of the machine, according to onscenetv.

At one point the medical director considered amputating the victim's arm.

Rescue personnel took part of the machine with the man's arm still stuck to the hospital.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.