Sheet metal falls on worker in Libertyville

A large pile of sheet metal fell on a Libertyville worker Monday afternoon, trapping his leg underneath as much as 4,600 pounds, Libertyville firefighters said.

It took firefighters 40 minutes to free the man, an employee at Metalex Corp., 1530 Artaius Parkway, Libertyville Assistant Chief Mike Cloe said.

Firefighters arrived just before 4 p.m. and used the “Jaws of Life” and other extrication tools to fee the man, whose leg was severely injured. He was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center with nonlife-threatening injuries.

Fire officials weren’t sure what caused the metal pile to shift.

“It slid off and caught the lower part of his leg,” Cloe said. “The sheets were four by three, and each weighed about 200 pounds.”