Shropshire farmer dies after being trapped under machinery
A farmer who got trapped underneath a baler machine for several hours has died.
Norman Smith from Brook House Farm, Lower Wood, near Church Stretton, was only discovered when his neighbour heard his cries for help.
But despite frantic efforts by the emergency services to free him from the machinery and suffering from a cardiac arrest at the scene, Mr Smith died in hospital on Monday morning.
Mr John Ellery, coroner for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, has been informed of Mr Smith's death.
Mr Smith, who was in his 60s, is believed to have farmed the land with his brother.
It is not known how he came to be trapped beneath the piece of farm machinery, which is used to compress a cut and raked crop into compressed bales.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday, where paramedics found Mr Smith with his legs trapped. It is thought he had been underneath the machine for six hours.
As he was freed he suffered a cardiac arrest due to the length of time he had been trapped.
The incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive. A spokesman for the HSE said: "We are aware and are making initial enquiries alongside West Mercia Police."
