HEALTH and safety experts began a detailed investigation on Wednesday into an accident which claimed the life of a 20-year-old woman.

Kelly Pattinson died as she was helping her mother and step-father cut wood at the family farm in Forest-in-Teesdale on Tuesday afternoon.

It is understood she was unloading wood in a shed when she was caught in tractor machinery which was powering a bench saw.

Miss Pattinson, who is thought to have died instantly, was pronounced dead on the scene by a local GP.

Paramedics and the local fire crew were called to the scene but were unable to help.

Police were preparing a report into the incident for the South Durham coroner.