A worker at a Laurel mulch plant is recovering Monday night after he had to be rescued from a piece of heavy machinery after his legs got trapped, officials say.

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Prince George's County first responders were called to the scene in the 5400 block of Van Dusen Road at about 11 a.m. after the man got trapped inside a dye machine, which is used to inject colored dye into mulch. The victim was so caught up in the machine, medical officials first feared that they may have to amputate his legs to rescue him.

"He was in a position where there was a possibility that we may not have been able to get home out," says Mark Brady, spokesman for Prince George's County fire department. "He was trapped between the very sharp blades and one of the walls of the hopper."

It took a technical rescue team and a GO Team, comprised of surgeons, nurses and other medical personnel, more than 90 minutes to dismantle and remove parts from the machine, all while the victim had to be sedated and intubated due to severe pain.

However, the team's work resulted in the removal of the man from the machine without surgical intervention. The team of 50 firefighters and medics had the worker out just after 12:30 p.m. He suffered critical injuries to both legs, but they are not considered to be life-threatening.