ULEN, Minn. - A 6-year-old girl was injured Wednesday afternoon after her hand got stuck between the rollers on a conveyor belt at a lefse bakery here.
The accident happened about 3:30 p.m. at Lena's Lefse, 325 1st St. S.W.
The girl's mother picked her up after school and both went to the bakery, where the mother works.
Sue Lindsay, who co-owns the bakery with her husband, Doug Lindsay, said employees just wrapped up the day's work and were cleaning when the accident occurred.
"She was just playing with flour" laid on a conveyor belt made of canvas," Sue Lindsay said. The conveyor belt carries lefse dough to the grills while being shaped and flattened for browning.
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The girl's hand became stuck between the conveyor belt's rollers at one end of the table, Lindsay said.
"I'm still scared," she said about one hour after the accident. "It's just so hard hearing the girl scream."
Rescue crews worked to loosen the rollers that trapped the girl's hand while she made a fist. The process included cutting the conveyor belt.
Lindsay said the girl remained conscious the entire time and did not appear to receive any bleeding injuries.
"It happened so quick. I just hope she's all right," Lindsay said.
The girl was airlifted to a Fargo hospital. Her condition was unknown Wednesday night.
Doug Lindsay said this is the first time someone has been injured at the bakery, which opened in 1998. It produces 2,000 sheets of lefse a day.
Fargo Innovis Health and MeritCare Hospital officials said the girl was not listed as a patient Wednesday night.
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The girl's parents did not return a phone call seeking comment Wednesday night.
Ulen, a town of about 500 people, is 39 miles northeast of Moorhead.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Benny Polacca at (701) 241-5504 Girl, 6, injured by conveyor belt at lefse bakery Benny Polacca 20071011
