Tree worker slashed with chainsaw

Fire crews said the man was high up in the tree

A tree surgeon has died in East Sussex after accidentally slashing himself with a chainsaw.

The man, who was in his 20s and from Eastbourne, was working on a tree at a private house in Park Gate, Hailsham.

Emergency services called to the scene shortly after 1100 GMT found him suspended and unconscious, and he was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is being treated as an industrial accident and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

Group fire manager, Mark Matthews, from East Sussex Fire and Rescue, said fire crews from Hailsham and Eastbourne tried to cut their way up the tree to reach the man but it was too late.

"Approaching the incident was quite difficult. He was quite high in the tree and a number of branches had to be removed," he said.