Man's Head Caught in Conveyer Belt in GE Building

A man was severely injured after getting his head caught in a conveyor belt in the GE Building at Rockefeller Plaza yesterday, Fire Department officials said.

The man, a 22-year-old unidentified mail clerk of the law firm Chadbourne & Parke, was working in the company's mail room on the 33rd floor of 30 Rockefeller Center when his head got caught, according to reports.

EMS officials responded to an emergency call placed just after noon. The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital Center in traumatic arrest, and remains there in critical condition, according to reports.

A media relations manager for Chadbourne & Parke, Andrew Blum, said they do not yet know what caused the accident, or why the man's head was near the belt. After the employee was injured, the firm called the conveyor belt's manufacturers, who did an inspection of the belt and found no mechanical problems. The belt was shut down as a precaution.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials were also called to inspect the area.

Chadbourne & Parke operates on eight floors of the GE building, which also houses NBC's television studios.