Tree surgeon recounts near-death experience after slashing own neck in chainsaw accident

A tree surgeon who cut his own throat with a chainsaw has recounted how he managed to abseil himself down to safety following the shocking accident.

Carl Moulton from Notting Hill, was working in a harness nearly half way up a 60ft tree in a Hammersmith primary school when he slipped on a wet branch causing the power tool to slice through his neck and arm.

The 41-year-old, who has four children, suffered a six-inch gash on his arm and a three-inch wound to his neck following the incident on 16 February.

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He told the Evening Standard: “I just slipped. Judging from the cuts and how it landed, it hit my arm and then rammed into my neck.

“My first thought was, ‘I’m not going to see my kids grow older, I’m a dead man, I’m a dead man.’

“But then I got some composure and realised I could still breathe and I could still talk.”

Mr Moulton managed to abseil from the tree to his colleagues, who gave him first aid and called emergency services.

He was later taken to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington where he received treatment for his injuries.