Warning: This article contains graphic images.
A Queensland man is learning how to use his hand again after it was severed in a workplace accident.
Lorry Cooper was working in a meatpacking factory when disaster struck
A slicer went straight through the middle of his hand and severed four of his fingers.
"It's pretty terrifying when you see your hand missing," the 23-year-old told 7News on Tuesday.
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He says he only remembers a fraction of the horrifying incident.
A quick thinking co-worker put the severed section of his hand on ice and Cooper was rushed straight into surgery.
Surgeons said in a press conference the injury was time sensitive but the way it was severed made it easier.
"We were pretty fortunate that given the nature of the injury it was a really clean-cut, almost a surgical incision," said Doctor Andrew Hadj.
Cooper was able to move his fingers shortly after surgery.
"Not only have we managed to keep the hand alive, obviously that's the main aim, but also having it functioning and having it functioning so early," said Doctor Theo Birch on seeing Cooper's fingers moving just eight hours after the procedure.
He's now learning to use his dominant hand again and spends more than five hours a week in physical therapy, reports 7 News.
He is expected to have a functional hand but his rehabilitation will be a lengthy process.
Newshub.
