A CRANE operator has given evidence about the moment he found the body of a lorry driver killed when a chain sliced through his cabin.

Christopher Watson is on trial at Oxford Crown Court accused of causing the death of Michael Stringer by dangerous driving on July 18 last year.

On Monday a jury heard how the 52-year-old, from Brill in Buckinghamshire, died from a “catastrophic head injury” on the A415 near Abingdon.

Ann Evans, prosecuting, said a chain attached to the back of Watson’s lorry swung out and “acted like a cheesewire” as the two drivers passed each other.

She told the jury Mr Stringer’s vehicle and a lorry driven by the defendant were driving in opposite directions.

Miss Evans questioned Mark Davis, who was working with Watson at the Old Gaol in Abingdon, and who was called by him and asked to go to the scene, where he spoke to a policeman.

Miss Evans said: “You had the very, very unpleasant task of looking up into the cabin and seeing the remains of the driver and you jumped off and told the policeman.”

He replied: “I did, yes.”

The trial continues and Watson, of Tudor Drive, Watford, denies the charge.