A farm worker died after his tractor collided with overhead power lines and caught fire, a coroner was told.

Philip Alexander, from Chichester, was working in a field off Salthill Road in the city when the incident took place on May 18 this year.

Emergency services were called to the scene and fire crews tried to tackle the blaze.

An air ambulance was also called to the incident, which took place at around 11.30am that day.

The 43-year-old, known as Phil, died at the scene.

In a pre-inquest review hearing at Ede’s House, Chichester, on Monday, November 6, the court heard how a jury would be required at the inquest because it was a workplace fatality which, by law, has to be notified to the government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Vanessa Cashman, counsel for Phil’s family, said risk assessments, guidance and precautions needed to be considered.

Chris Stephens, representing Clarkes Of Bowley, the company Phil worked for, said power line safety would be taken into account.

The proceedings, opened by senior coroner Penelope Schofield, were adjourned to February 26 next year for a full inquest to take place.

An enquiry into Phil’s death is also taking place and will be led by the HSE, the national regulator for workplace health and safety.