A 44-year-old factory worker was thrown 7.6m through the air in an accident at a ready meals factory that provoked the collapse of the company involved.

Loughborough magistrates heard how the victim, who was not named, lost a leg when pressure built up in an industrial pressure cooker, blowing off its steel door, which then hit him. He also suffered severe steam, hot food and water burns, plus a broken arm and pelvis in the June, 2007 accident at the Authentic World Cuisine factory, Loughborough.

In a Health & Safety Executive prosecution, the firm was fined £4,000 after admitting failing to ensure the pressure cooker was properly maintained and in a good state of repair. The court heard the cooker had been leaking, but a replacement seal had been put on the wrong way round and the door would not close properly. Locking pins which held the door clamps in place were then removed.

The father of two spent five months in hospital and is still recovering at home.

Representing Authentic World Cuisine, which produced sachet and packet meals for supermarkets, Andrew Willetts said the company was now in liquidation. "The outcome of this incident has, by and large, resulted in liquidation of the company," he said.