NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — An investigation is underway after a steel plate fell on top of and critically wounded a worker at a North Kingstown facility Tuesday afternoon.

North Kingstown Fire Chief Scott Kettelle told 12 News first responders rushed to ASC Engineered Solutions following reports of a worker who had suffered a traumatic injury.

The worker, identified by Kettelle as a 59-year-old man, was found on the floor with his leg trapped underneath a steel plate.

Kettelle believes the man was moving the steel plate with a lifting device when he slipped, causing it to fall on top of him.

The worker was flown to Rhode Island Hospital after firefighters devised a plan to safely lift the steel plate without injuring him further, according to the fire chief.

Kettelle added that the worker was conscious, but in severe pain, while being loaded into the helicopter.

ASC Engineered Solutions will remain closed until an investigation into what happened is complete.