The death of a tree surgeon killed when his chainsaw kicked back and sliced into his neck while he was up a tree, has been ruled as accidental.

Alex Kirkley was cutting down branches in the back garden of a house in Rose Hill when his chainsaw flew back and severed a main artery in his neck on February 12 this year.

This afternoon a jury unanimously recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

Oxfordshire Coroner Darren Salter concluded that the incident was just 'bad luck' but said he would make a number of safety recommendations to the Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group - which works with the Health and Safety Executive - on what he said could be an 'industry-wide' issue.

Mr Kirkley was helped down by colleagues and emergency services arrived within ten minutes but pathologist Dr Lucie Winter said his injuries were ‘not survivable’.

The 32-year-old, of Spencer Crescent, had spent three years in New Zealand working as an arborist where he had hoped to set up an eco-friendly village but had returned to Oxford a few weeks before his death to see family and friends.

The former Wheatley Park School pupil was working for contractor Branching Out under the supervision of business owner Daniel Edwards, and alongside fellow arborist James Tanner.

A statement from his mother Janet Kirkley, read to the jury, said: “He was an amazing young man with an enthusiasm and zest for life that came through in everything he did.

“He visited more than 13 countries and he impressed people everywhere he went.

“He believed in sustainable living and it was his dream to set up an eco-friendly village in New Zealand.”

She added: “It was a tragedy that, with so many positive things happening in his life, he was taken away.

“He was back with his family for the first time in three years.”

His father Paul Kirkley said: “In his 32 years, Alexander gave more to life and got more back than most can hope to achieve in twice that time.”

“He was happiest when working up trees, doing the job he loved.”

Fellow tree surgeon James Tanner, who had first climbed the tree before swapping with Mr Kirkley said it was ‘relatively easy’ to fell.

He said he climbed a ladder to help Mr Kirkley - who was suspended by his harness 20ft in the air - once he realised what had happened, until paramedics arrived.

Business owner Daniel Edwards said the group were just 15 minutes from packing up before the tragedy which happened just after 4.30pm.

He also told the court he did not keep written risk assessments at the time of the fatal accident.

He said: “Legally I wasn’t obliged to do that as I was a microbusiness employing less than four or five people,”

“I think in light of what’s happened though that every employee on site should fill in a risk assessment which is what I now do.”

Author and arboriculture expert Christopher Cooper-Abbs was asked to file a report on the safety of the company by the Health Safety Executive following Mr Kirkley’s death, but agreed that asking all microbusinesses to fill in risk assessments would be unreasonable.

He added: “My option in terms of a risk assessment, I believe that the risk was non-serious. I wouldn’t go as far as to say there wasn’t a risk but I wouldn’t expect microbusinesses to undertake full written risk assessments all the time.”

The inquest continues this morning when Oxfordshire Coroner Darren Salter is expected to conclude with the help of a jury.

Mr Salter said he would compile a report detailing his concerns over the risks of kick-back, in particular with top handle chainsaws, and also propose the consideration of protective clothing around the neck.

This report would be sent to AFAG and also chainsaw manufacturers Stihl UK and the Utility Arboricultural Group.