A food service worker in the Friley Dining Hall broke his arm Tuesday after he caught his appendage in a conveyer belt.

Rickey Thompson, 1104 Pinon Drive, was cleaning the conveyor belt used to transport dirty dishes back to the kitchen from the dining area during the lunch shift when his arm got stuck between the roller and the vinyl belt, said Stewart Burger, director of Dining Services.

“Thompson took the guard off the dish conveyer belt and put his hand in without shutting off the machine,” Burger said.

Burger said the scene caused quite a commotion, as paramedics and fireman had to be called to release Thompson from the conveyor belt.

“His well-being was the No. 1 concern at the moment,” he said.

Burger said emergency personnel did not have to cut the belt in order to free Thompson’s arm. Workers did take some time to loosen the conveyor belt enough so that Thompson’s arm could slide out.

Thompson said he was conscious and alert throughout the event and was taken from the dining hall by paramedics to Mary Greeley Medical Center, where he was treated for a broken arm. Thompson was released at 2:45 p.m.

Thompson said he was grateful that students and dining hall staff reacted immediately to the incident.

“I appreciate the quick response from the students when the accident happened,” he said.

“They came over right away and called 911,” he said. “I don’t know who they were, but they were yelling, ‘Turn off the belt! Turn off the belt!'”

Thompson said he does not know when he will be returning to work for dining services, but he said he would have a better idea after a doctor’s visit next week.

Burger said Thompson is planning no legal action against the university.