A man died after suffering horrific injuries when he became trapped in a baling machine at a Shropshire farm.

Father-of-three George Stokes, who was in his 40s, became trapped in the machine at Tong Norton Farm at Tong, near Shifnal, at about 3.50pm yesterday.

The Midlands Air Ambulance was scrambled from Cosford along with two rapid response vehicles but were unable to save Mr Stokes, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family was today too upset to talk about the tragedy. But Mr Stokes’s best friend and neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s a complete and utter tragedy. You would not meet a more generous chap than George Stokes.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Suzie Fothergill said: “We were called to Tong, near Shifnal, to a report of a man who had been trapped in some machinery.

“On arrival the crews found the man trapped but unfortunately there was nothing that could be done for him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Police said the Health and Safety Executive had been informed and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death had been launched. West Mercia Police spokesman Richard Ewels said: “Police were notified just after 4pm yesterday of an incident near a farm in Tong.

“Officers, together with ambulance and fire service personnel, attended the scene. A man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene. It is believed he had been working with farm machinery at the time.

“The Health and Safety Executive was informed and the circumstances are being investigated.”

Mr Ewels said South Shropshire Coroner Mr Anthony Sibcy had been informed of the death.

A Shropshire Fire Services spokeswoman said fire engines were sent to the scene from Telford and Albrighton, along with a rescue tender from Wellington and an incident commander from Shrewsbury and when they arrived police were already on the scene.

Neil Whelan, a spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive, said: “Police are leading the investigation and the HSE is aware of the incident.”

By Simon Hardy