Scott David Donnison, 28, was suspended 40 feet up a tree in the back garden of a house in Park Gate, Hailsham.

He died instantly when his chainsaw kicked back from a branch and hit him on the left side of his neck, under his chin.

He was wearing a helmet and full safety equipment at the time.

Emergency services received a call at 11.07am on Wednesday and rushed to the scene.

Police, firefighters, ambulance and a coast guard helicopter were present.

They found the harness attached to Mr Donnison's body tied to the tree.

They struggled to get to the body and had to use a cherry picker platform.

Phil Wilkinson, from Sussex Tree Services, was working in Old Town, Eastbourne, when he learnt about the accident.

He rushed to Park Gate to help.

Mr Wilkinson said: 'A group of us gathered and a policeman told us the chainsaw caught him across his chest and he died instantly.

'He was suspended and it took a while for them to get him down.'

Mr Wilkinson said Mr Donnison may have been reducing the crown of the tree in the back garden.

He added: 'I know a lot of tree surgeons and people in the trade, and it has affected us all.

'I have taken a day off because I feel so shocked about it.

'It is a dangerous job, statistically the most dangerous job in Britain.'

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a full investigation.

A spokesman said: 'The HSE is aware of the incident and are investigating.

'We are working with the police at this moment.'

The death is being treated as an industrial accident.

It is thought Mr Donnison worked for Allan Russell Tree Surgery in Polegate.

A spokeswoman for the company did not want to comment.
An inquest has opened and adjourned for a full investigation.

A post mortem was due to be carried out today (Thursday).

Mr Donnison, from Hollingbury Park, Brighton, had been married for two years.

His wife was being comforted by family and friends in Winchester.
Email your tributes to sussex.express@sussexnewspapers.co.uk

Tributes:

Scott was such a lovely man and one of my son's closest friends, and my heart goes out to his wife and family.
He will be so greatly missed - such sad news. We were all so deeply shocked and so saddened by this tragic accident.
God Bless you Scott and rest in peace.
The Wallace Family