Teenage tree surgeon dies after accidental crush at work

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

An 18-year-old apprentice tree surgeon was crushed and killed by a falling tree in Oxfordshire on 6 September 2024.

Jonty Parkison, of Cirencester, died in a National Trust woodland in Eaton Hastings, Faringdon, after being struck and trapped by a falling tree. An inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner's Court concluded the death was accidental.

Parkison had used a chainsaw to partially fell the tree, which was approximately 12 metres tall and 1 metre in diameter. His colleague then used ropes attached to a wood chipper to pull it down. The tree fell in the wrong direction, trapping Parkison underneath. Emergency services attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene, with his medical cause of death given as crush injury to the abdomen.

Jurors found multiple factors contributed to the accident, including that the 18-year-old and his colleague were not trained to fell the large tree using the method they used. Senior coroner Darren Salter declined to issue a prevention of future deaths report, saying there was 'no shortage' of regulations but it 'comes down to these being applied'. Parkison worked for the Cotswold Group, which is no longer trading.

How it is being reported

• Teenage apprentice tree surgeon died after being crushed by treeAn apprentice tree surgeon died after being accidentally crushed by a tree he was felling, an inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner's Court has concluded.Oxfordshire Guardian · 27 Oct, 12:30
• Teenage apprentice tree surgeon died after being crushed by treeAn apprentice tree surgeon died after being accidentally crushed by a tree he was felling, an inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner's Court has concluded.Oxford Mail · 27 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Jonty Parkison · Oxfordshire Coroner's Court · Eaton Hastings · Faringdon · Cirencester · Cotswold Group · Darren Salter

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