Worker dies in tree accident

A worker has died after being trapped under a tree on the back of a lorry close to the Powys and Shropshire border.

Fire crews battled to free the man, after they were alerted.

The man, from Newtown, had been felling trees in Casob, Presteigne, when the accident happened yesterday.

Fire, police and ambulance crews were all called to try to free him after the incident just before 11.50am.

The man was airlifted to Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, by air ambulance but died from his injuries.

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said due to cross winds the air ambulance had not been able to land close to the accident and the victim had to be taken by road ambulance to the helicopter.

Firefighters used an airbag, saws and hydraulic cutting equipment to free the man. He was then placed on a spinal board before being flown from the area.

A spokeswoman for the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the incident happened on an unclassified road.

Sharon Reynolds, a spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "Police, fire brigade and the ambulance service attended the scene.

"Tragically the man died on his way to hospital.

"Health and safety have been advised."

She added that it was understood that the man was in his 50s and came from Newtown.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers were due to meet a Health and Safety Executive inspector today to discuss the accident.