AN electrician was recovering in hospital last night after becoming trapped by a crane at an engineering company.

The man is understood to have been working on an electrical fault at Cleveland Bridge's premises in Yarm Road, Darlington. It is believed he became pinned after the indoor gantry had swung towards him.

The 55-year-old managed to free himself from the structure, but he had suffered chest and hip injuries and was unable to get down.

Firefighters from Darlington were called to the scene at 9.40pm and used an aerial ladder to rescue the worker from the 40ft crane.

They administered oxygen to him before he was taken by ambulance to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where his condition was described last night as comfortable.

Officer in charge Darlington sub-officer Damian Brennan said: "He was complaining of leg and chest pains. He was conscious but he was in shock and we administered oxygen."

A spokesman for the North- East Ambulance Service said the man's injuries were not life threatening.

No one at the company was available for comment last night.

An investigation into the incident is expected to continue today.