A RETIRED truck driver was partially decapitated when parts of a shattered circular saw sliced through his head and chest, an inquest heard.

Health and Safety Inspector John Lightfoot said vital safety equipment was missing from the machinery which killed Mr Brian Haig Haworth, 49, who lived at a farm house in Green Haworth, Accrington.

An examination of the machine revealed that a guard and anti-jam mechanism were missing and that an electric motor appeared to have been replaced by a petrol engine.

Mr Lightfoot said it was most likely the blade had hit a nail in the wood, causing it to shatter.

He said it was also possible that the blade was already damaged or that the modified engine meant it had been operating too quickly.

Mr Andre Rebello, Coroner for Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Haworth was cutting reclaimed wood in a field next to his home when the horrific accident occurred at about 3pm on March 26 this year.

His body was discovered by Mark Johnson, of Malt Street, Accrington, who kept animals stabled at the farm. He said he knew something was wrong because Mr Haworth's dog Clyde was crying at the side of the fence.

He added: "When I went down the track I saw Mr Haworth laid in the field."

Mr Johnson said he panicked and ran to the neighbouring farmhouse owned by Miss Anne Gilbraith, who telephoned the emergency services.

She said: "I went over to look and obviously when I got there I could see he was dead."

Home Office pathologist Dr William Lawlor, told the Blackburn hearing that Mr Haworth had died as a result of multiple injuries.

He added: "There were three separate injuries, all of which were extremely serious.

"I do not think that he would have appreciated anything of the incidents immediately surrounding and responsible for his death."

Mr Haworth's wife Susan, was visiting a friend at the time of the accident.

She said the couple had bought the farm in 1991 after her husband retired due to ill health and moved in the following year when it had been renovated.

She added: "We had the saw a long time and only used it for cutting logs for the fire."

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