Wildlife presenter Johnny Kingdom died in a tragic accident after being crushed by a digger while working on his farm, an inquest heard.
The television star, best known for his BBC Four show 'A Year with the Birds', was trying to move a section of heavy tree trunk when his vehicle toppled over and trapped him.
The oak log was estimated to weigh 1.25 tonnes and caused the digger to tip over.
The television star, best known for his BBC Four show 'A Year with the Birds', was trying to move a section of heavy tree trunk when his vehicle toppled over and trapped him
Mr Kingdom had not been wearing a seatbelt and was crushed to death, the coroner was told.
The 79-year-old wildlife presenter, film maker and photographer was found lifeless by one of his sons and his wife who had become concerned after he failed to come home earlier that day.
At the inquest in Exeter, Devon, today, the coroner gave a verdict of accidental death.
The oak log was estimated to weigh 1.25 tonnes and caused Mr Kingdom's digger to tip over. Pictured: Mr Kingdom and his three-legged deer Bambi
Mr Kingdom, whose real name was Walter John Kingdom, had been married to his wife Julie since 1963 and they owned 53 acres of land near Wadham Cross in Knowstone, South Molton, Devon.
Mrs Kingdom told in a statement how Mr Kingdom would go out on to their land most days as there was always 'something to do there'.
She said: 'He generally kept himself busy. He had owned a 3.5 ton digger for 10 years which he used regularly for heavy work.'
Mr Kingdom (pictured on ITV on June 1, 2015) had not been wearing a seatbelt and was crushed to death, the coroner was told
On September 6, 2018 she left their home at 10.30am to meet their granddaughter knowing he was planning to work on the land.
When he had not been in touch again by 8pm she became worried and went searching for him with their son Stuart.
She said: 'We found John beneath his digger. He was dead.'
The 79-year-old wildlife presenter, film maker and photographer was found lifeless by one of his sons and his wife who had become concerned after he failed to come home earlier that day
Son Stuart said in a statement to the inquest: 'The top side of the digger cab was pinning him by the waist.'
He added that around four months prior to Mr Kingdom's death, his father had been to see the doctor because he was suffering from blurred vision.
It was believed he may have possibly suffered a stroke so a family holiday was cancelled and he was not allowed to drive for a month.
At the inquest in Exeter, Devon, today, the coroner gave a verdict of accidental death
He said: 'Before he died his health was back to normal. Ironically his tests results, which came back after he died, gave him the all clear.'
The cause of death was given as crush asphyxia and Mr Kingdom also had multiple pelvic fractures.
Recalling the last time he had seen his father, which was a week before the tragic accident, he recalled: 'He was his usual self. He
