Lumberjack, 24, doing his 'dream job' was crushed to death by falling tree in Welsh woods before being discovered by walker, inquest hears

Ben Thomas, 24, was doing his 'dream job' when he was struck by the tree

A lumberjack was crushed to death when he was hit by a falling tree, an inquest heard.

Forestry worker Ben Thomas, 24, was doing his 'dream job' and clearing woodland when he was struck by the tree on a steep bank.

Ben, from Aberbargoed, Caerphilly, was found dead by a member of the public having suffered severe head and chest injuries.

Paramedics were called to woodland near the small village of Cwmfelinfach, near Caerphilly, South Wales, but Ben was already dead. 

Paramedic Daniel Waites, said: 'We had to walk up a steep hill about 50 metres from the ambulance. The flooring was soft and damp. 

'There were trees which had been felled already. It was difficult to walk on.

'The body of Ben Thomas was on his back and his arms and legs were to the side. The tree had been cut and moved off of him.'

Mr Waites said Ben's head was 'discoloured' due to bruising and his chest was 'soft and pliable'.

Former scaffolder Ben had described being a lumberjack as his 'dream job' just weeks before the tragedy.

An inquest heard his cause of death was crush asphyxiation and lacerated lungs.

Ben was working for Tree Finesse at the time of his death in August 2017 and the Health and Safety Executive investigated the tragedy. 

Paramedics were called to woodland near the small village of Cwmfelinfach, near Caerphilly, South Wales, but Ben (left and right) was already dead

Gwent Coroner's Court heard the company was working for environment agency Natural Resources Wales to clear trees at Sirhowy forest.

The hearing was told Ben had completed his forestry work qualifications in January 2017 and been employed by Tree Finesse since April of that year.

The inquest, which is being heard in front of a jury, continues.