Popular BBC wildlife presenter Johnny Kingdom’s death was caused by a digger accidentally running over him.

Iconic BBC wildlife presenter Johnny Kingdom was crushed to death by the digger he was using to try to move a tree trunk, an inquest concluded.

He was moving a log when his digger tragically flipped over. Pic: BBC

Mr Kingdom was best known for his whacky wardrobe as he presented the BBC Four show A Year with the Birds.

At the time of his death the court heard that he was using the machinery to lift the 1.25-ton trunk.

Johnny worked across the BBC and ITV. Pic: BBC

At the time the accident happened the weight of the log proved too much for the digger and it caused the vehicle to topple over.

The court also heard that Johnny was then crushed underneath it and was not wearing a seat-belt.

Johnny Kingdom Digger
The TV presenter was a national treasure. Pic: ITV

Shortly after the incident the 79-year-old’s body was found by one of his sons and his wife who had become concerned after he failed to come home earlier that day.

At the inquest in Exeter, Devon, today, the coroner gave a verdict of accidental death.

Johnny Kingdom Digger
Johnny was found by his wife and son. Pic: ITV

Mr Kingdom, whose real name was Walter John Kingdom, had been married to his wife Julie since 1963 and they owned 53 acres of land in Knowstone, South Molton, Devon.

Julie told in a statement how Mr Kingdom would go out on to their land most days as there was always ‘something to do there’.

She said: ‘He generally kept himself busy. He had owned a 3.5-ton digger for 10 years which he used regularly for heavy work.

‘We found John beneath his digger. He was dead,’ she added.

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