TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who died after becoming

trapped inside farm machinery.

Emergency services were called to High Forest Farm in

Sharpley Heath, near Stone, on Friday.

Owner Stephen Biddulph told The Sentinel that

contractor Anthony Mardling was working alone when the accident

happened shortly after 5pm.

The 61-year-old, of neighbouring Stone Heath Farm, was

operating a hay baler when he became trapped.

Mr Biddulph said: "It was a tragic accident.

"Anthony was very well known and highly thought of in the

community, and he was greatly respected.

"He was a single man who lived on the neighbouring farm from

here.

"He was found by another chap working in the field."

National Farmers' Union chairman Michael Madders, of Church

Farm, Coppenhall, near Stafford, said: "It is very sad, a real

tragedy that his life has been ended in that way.

"All our sympathies and heart felt sorrow go to Mr

Mardling's family for what has happened."

Mr Madders, aged 44, added: "It is a reminder to us all to

take care when working with machinery like hay balers.

"I don't know what has happened in this case, but what can

happen is that a hay baler can get blocked.

"If you are working on it and the blockage shifts, it can

start up again if it is not properly turned off and you can

find yourself in a lot of trouble.

"I wouldn't like to speculate whether that has happened in

this case, but it has happened in the past."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "The man

had been involved in an accident involving a hay baler.

"When the community paramedic officers arrived, they

immediately assessed the condition of the man, but, sadly, it

quickly became evident that there was nothing that could be

done to save him and he was confirmed dead on scene.

"The police and Health And Safety Executive were informed of

the tragic incident."

The Health And Safety Executive has launched an

investigation.

A spokesman said: "We are conducting a joint investigation

with the police. That is the protocol in the early stages. The

police take the lead and once they are sure there are no

suspicious circumstances we will take over, and that is

expected to happen very shortly."

Staffordshire Police said it was still carrying out

inquiries.

Tributes to Mr Mardling have also been left on The

Sentinel's website.

Friend Steve Edwards, of Hilderstone, said: "Anthony

Mardling was a good friend and will be sadly missed by all the

people who knew him. God bless you Tony."

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"2.5" face="" size="2.5">Click "http://lastingtribute.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/tribute/mardling/2893705" target="_blank">here to pay your respects to Anthony Mardling at our Lasting Tribute website.

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