A Darwin Council contractor has been left with a serious facial laceration after he was slashed in the face by a piece of metal that flicked up while he was mowing in a town park.
A group of contractors were operating ride-on lawnmowers at Weddell Park in Parap when the incident occurred at around 7:30am on Tuesday.
It is believed one of the mowers clipped a piece of metal, launching it into the side of his co-worker's face.
"At this stage it appears to be some discarded … bar that was lying in the grass," Acting Sergeant Brody Pardon said.
Another contractor provided immediate first aid at the scene before St John's Ambulance rushed the injured man to hospital.
The ABC understands the man is now receiving surgery.
'A serious incident'
Council chief executive Scott Waters said the piece of metal had been in the park for an undisclosed amount of time, but that council was working to establish the facts.
Mr Waters said the man was a contractor from Programmed Property Services.
"We'll work very closely with our contractor in relation to this," he said.
"This is a serious incident, quite unprecedented for council."
Mr Waters said he spoke to the contractor who administered first aid on the scene.
"Ensuring they were OK, and providing every assistance that we possibly can to them," he said.
"We're a big family, whether you work with council or you're a contractor."
NT Worksafe is now investigating the incident, and Mr Waters said the council looked forward to get to the bottom of what occurred.
