A man had to be saved by firefighters when he managed to get lodged headfirst inside his washing machine, after the device refused to work.

Six emergency officers took 40 minutes to free the unnamed, unfortunate victim from his predicament at his home in the city of Fuqing in south-east China's Fujian province, according to People's Daily Online.

The incident occurred when the man was unable to turn on the machine to wash his clothes.

Oh dear: The man became stuck after leaning in to examine the machine at his home in Fujian province, China

Daft: After finding it was stuck he wanted to confirm whether something was stuck at the bottom of the device

Risky? Firefighters were forced to use serious tools in their attempts to free the man safely from his prison

Fuqing City's Fire Department confirmed he then leaned into the washer in order to get a better look at what might have cut the power, namely anything that was lodged in the bottom of the drum.

The man was discovered by his roommates in a sorry state, and they proceeded to try and use soap as a lubricant on the edge of the opening in order to haul him out more easily.

However they could not budge him after many attempts and resorted to calling the fire department.

The victim later explained: 'I managed to stick my head into the machine very easily, so I don't understand why I got stuck on the way out.'

Officers discovered him lying prone on the ground shirtless following several efforts to save him.

Free at last: Eventually after 40 minutes officers were able to free up some space and release the man

Big relief: The remainder of the machine was shattered piece by piece, allowing the man to escape at last

The fire fighters had to use scissors and a hacksaw to separate the drum from the washing machine frame, in order to free up breathing space for the stuck man.

They were then able to break apart the remainder of the machine piece by piece, eventually freeing the victim from his metallic prison without injuring his head.

During a medical check-up after the event the man was found to have only sustained minor scratching to his head and neck during the attempts to remove him.