Abu Dhabi, Jun 9 (IANS): An Abu Dhabi-based Indian had to undergo amputation of his hands and legs following an unsuspecting small injury at work, the media reported on Saturday.

Punjab-origin Gurbinder Singh Arjan Singh (42), who worked as a crane operator for a private company in the UAE capital, injured his knee at the company site on Zirku Island on February 24, Khaleej Times reported.

Initially, he was treated at a nearby clinic but the next day, he developed an infection and fell unconscious. On February 26, he was airlifted from the island to the city's Mafraq Hospital.

"I injured my left knee while climbing a crane. At Mafraq Hospital, I was kept in the intensive care unit. My kidney had failed and blood pressure dipped. I was 99 per cent dead and was given a heavy dosage of medicine to stay alive," said Singh.

"But by the first week of March, my hands and legs turned black and by the second week of April, doctors told me that amputation was needed to save my life. I don't know how all this happened from a small injury," he added.

According to a medical report, Singh was diagnosed with septic shock (a serious medical condition following an infection) and severe left knee necrotising cellulitis (bacterial infection), which required surgical removal of foreign material and dead tissue from injury to prevent the spread of infection.

After his discharge on May 14, Singh came to know that his employer terminated his services with effect from May 10 citing "work completion" as the reason.