Man dies in JCB horror

A man was crushed to death by a digger bucket in an horrific accident at a farm near Penkridge.

Firefighters and ambulance crews rushed to Wells Farm in Bradley just before 11.30am yesterday after receiving reports a man was trapped under the hydraulic arm of a JCB-type digger.

Three fire crews from Stafford and Penkridge desperately battled to free the man but were unable to save him.

The Health and Safety Executive has now launched an investigation into his death to establish exactly what caused the accident at the farm in Levedale Road which is also the base for Wells Farm Dairy.

Claudine Weekes, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said a rapid response vehicle was sent to the scene immediately. She said: "On arrival it became clear that the man had suffered severe injuries and nothing could be done to save him. He was confirmed dead at the scene."

Staffordshire police spokeswoman Emma Stanley said there were no suspicious circumstances and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

She could not confirm whether the dead man worked at the farm, which is located in a lane on the outskirts of the village.

Extensive building work is currently taking place at the farm site and several of its red brick outbuildings are surrounded by scaffolding.

Villagers living near Wells Farm today voiced their shock at the news. Vic Sleight, 64, of Elm Drive, said: "I didn't see anything because I was at work but my wife saw all the fire engines and ambulances coming down the lane, but we still didn't know it was that serious. It's terrible."

A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive today confirmed an investigation had been launched. She said: "We are aware of the death and are investigating."

Both the farm and the dairy are thought to be owned by Brian Holt, who runs the business together with his sons Paul and Mark. Mr Holt was said to be unavailable this morning and no-one else at the farm or the nearby dairy plant on Holly Lane could be contacted to comment.