A farm worker is being treated for serious injuries after he was trapped for over an hour when one-tonne of falling hay fell on top of him.

The 35 year old farm worker had been filling his lorry with grain, when the bales rolled on top of him trapping him from the waist down.

Eleven fire fighters, a rapid response team of six, two ambulance crews and an air ambulance attended the scene.

Fire crews managed to dismantle the hay bale to free the farm worker, and he was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital.

Falling hay bales

A large proportion of farming accidents are caused by moving or falling objects, and falling hay bales are a common cause.

Incorrectly stacked or poorly secured bales can collapse or roll off. The risk of this is increased when bales are being transported in moving vehicles. Even relatively light bales can cause serious injuries if they fall and hit a person.

James Davies, a solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors’ Serious Injuries Team said: “Historically farms have had a poor health and safety record, and accidents like this are far too frequent. Given the size, weight and the risk they pose to both workers and the public, there really is no excuse for bales to be dangerously stacked or transported.”