FARMER Anthony Mardling died after he was dragged into a hay baling machine, an inquest heard.

Mr Mardling, aged 61, had been working alone in a field in High Forest Farm, Sharpley Heath, near Stone, on August 29 last year.

It is believed he attempted to kick off a clod of grass which had become lodged in the heavy machinery, and either slipped, or his clothing got caught, and was pulled in feet first.

Mr Mardling's brother Graham, aged 66, of Woolton, said: "It is something that you do that many times you become complacent; you don't think it will ever happen to you.

"We have all done it. It is a terrible, terrible accident."

Yesterday, the inquest at Stafford Crown Court heard Mr Mardling, who lived alone at neighbouring Stone Heath Farm, had been doing contracting work and was baling hay.

He was discovered by his close friend George Bailey, who was working in an adjacent field, packing the bales of hay already rolled by Mr Mardling.

Mr Bailey, aged 53, of Brook Farm, Gayton, said: "As I was almost finished, I could see the roof of Tony's tractor, stationary. There was nothing unusual about that.

"Upon entering (the field) I could see Tony was not in the cab. I could see he still had a little bit of baling to do. I still didn't suspect anything.

"I pulled alongside his tractor and baler. I could see Tony had been taken in by the baler at the front of the machine.

"He had entered feet first and been taken in up to the chest. I could see he was dead. I turned the baler off and went to call the emergency services."

Mr Bailey added: "I can surmise how it happened. I think he tried to kick a grass blockage through the baler and was taken in. To do this Tony would have to leave the machine on. From seeing Tony doing this many times, this is probably what happened, in my opinion."

Clive Brookes, the Health and Safety Executive's principle inspector for agriculture in Staffordshire, who investigated the accident, said: "This part of the machine rotates at 132 revs per minute. It does not pay to be anywhere near that when it's rotating.

"I believe the machinery caught on his clothing. It can pick up a boot lace, clothing, or the edge of a boiler suit, and you can be drawn in before you can react."

Between August and September last year three farmers were killed in similar accidents involving heavy machinery.

The others were: Malcolm Bennett, aged 50, of Grove Lane, Doveridge, who was struck by a baling machine. Farmhand Sam Leese, aged 22, from Oldfield Road, Sandbach, died after falling into a seed chopping machine at Hoofield Hall, near Chester.

Yesterday's inquest, held in front of a jury, found Mr Mardling died of "multiple injuries", while "attempting to remove a blockage on a baler using his feet". A verdict of accidental death was returned.

Mr Mardling's brother Graham said: "Tony was a joker, he had a great sense of humour. He loved farming. He enjoyed playing dominoes in the pub with friends.

"I miss him. It is taking a long time to come to terms with it. Of course, every time I go out in a baler I think of him and the accident."