Student, 17, had fingers severed with saw blade

College apologises and reviews processes after horrifying incident that saw them prosecuted and fined £40,000

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A COLLEGE in Nantwich which specialises in outdoor-based careers has been fined £40,000 after a student's fingers were severed when his hand came into contact with a mitre saw.

Aaron Maguire, from Crewe, was a second year horticulture student at Reaseheath College when his hand came into contact with the blade of the saw on September 20, 2023.

He had been using the saw to cut a piece of wood along its length when the wood twisted and pulled his hand into the cutting disc of the saw.

This resulted in the then 17-year-old cutting through several fingers and the thumb on his left hand.

Following an eight hour operation, surgeons managed to successfully re-attach Aaron's thumb and index finger, but the middle finger could not be saved.

Keen hockey player Aaron, who is now 19, said everyday tasks were now more difficult.

"Although my left hand is not my dominant hand, I have had to adjust to doing things that I would normally do with my left hand, such as cutting food and picking up everyday objects like glasses and cups," he said.

"I cannot grip things properly and it makes it difficult to do the hobbies I did.

"Prior to the incident, I was a keen hockey player. I still try to play hockey now but it is nowhere near the level I was playing at before I had my injury."