STEELEVILLE - A Gilster-Mary Lee employee suffered serious injuries to an arm Thursday evening and was flown to St. Louis for care.

Gilster-Mary Lee Vice President Tom Welge, reached at home Thursday night, said he did not have complete information available. But, he said, "It is my understanding there was an accident, and employee at the Steeleville plant did suffer a serious injury to his arm."

Welge said he believed the employee had been flown to a St. Louis hospital.

Gilster is a private label food manufacturer headquartered in Chester. It produces more than 8,000 items for more than 500 brands, as well as its own Hospitality label, according to its Web site. About 3,000 employees work in 14 facilities across four states.