A FATHER of two died after his leg became trapped in a freak industrial accident.

Emergency services amputated Balwinder Singh Aulkh’s leg when they were unable to release it from a mechanism used to carry grain from a silo but he died on the way to hospital.

Investigations are under way to find out why Mr Aulkh, 46, was inside the silo at Veetee Rice on the the Medway City Estate at Strood.

The emergency services were called to the scene as desperate attempts were made to free Mr Aulkh, of Damigos Road, Gravesend.

A crew from Strood fire station worked with engineers already on site to dismantle the winding mechanism and release his leg but their efforts were in vain.

Mr Aulkh, a machine operator, died in the ambulance en route to Gillingham's Medway Maritime Hospital.

Staff at Veetee Rice were so shaken by the Monday's tragedy that Tony O’Connor, chief operating officer, suspended production and sent workers home.

He said: “Mr Aulkh will be greatly missed. He was a very popular and well-respected member of staff."

Mr Aulkh's widow, Paramjit, said: “I’m just so shocked. I don’t believe what has happened. He was kind and generous. He was a very supportive person. A real family man.”