A LIFELONG world traveller who was preparing to settle down and get married was killed in a tragic accident with a digger while creating his dream home, an inquest heard this week.

Lance Winder, 48, was crushed by the roll bar of a hired mini-excavator on September 17 at the rear of his Marlow Bottom home, which he shared with long-term partner Christina Caja.

The experienced carpenter and builder was found trapped under the vehicle by his friend Michael Papamichael, who had been helping him with the renovation at the time of the accident.

Mr Winder’s father David paid tribute to the popular born traveller, who he said had 52 stamps in his passport from a life spent globetrotting before settling in the village last year.

And he said the peace-loving tradesman has even spent time living with Buddhist monks in Asia before returning to the UK to settle down.

He said: “I never realised he had so many friends, from all over the world. From the age of 16 he was travelling the world.

“When we got to the crematorium there was about 150 to 200 people there, of all races and colours.

“The comments that have been on Facebook have just absolutely blown me apart. No one ever had a bad word to say about him.

“You do not expect your son to go before you, it’s been very difficult. Before he died, he told me he was planning to get married, so was a real shock.”

Mr Winder was completely renovating the bungalow near the junction with Andrews Way and the couple stayed in a static caravan on site.

Ms Caja left a message of thanks at the house following floral tributes from wellwishers, which read: "This place made him very happy and part of him will remain here forever."

Mr Papamichael, who had struck up a friendship with Mr Winder a few months previously, was operating a pneumatic drill around the side of the house when the accident happened.

He told Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court how he had then noticed the Kubota digger on its side with his friend’s head and hands trapped underneath the roll bar.

He said his first thought was that he was dead, and ran inside to call the police.

Pathologist Peter Johnson confirmed the he died from extensive head injuries including multiple skull fractures, and would have died almost instantly.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated, but the accident was not covered by workplace law as Mr Winder was working independently on his own property.

HSE officer John Berezansky said it is possible the digger rolled backwards after mounting a raised path and then fell on its side.

When he was found, Mr Winder was not wearing a seatbelt, which Mr Berezansky said is fitted to keep the driver inside the metal roll cage in the event of an accident.

However, said it was not clear whether Mr Winder was thrown from the small vehicle or whether he took the belt off to try and jump clear.

His 78-year-old father, who now lives in Spain, said there was no question his son knew how to operate the digger.

He told the MFP: “I know Lance, and he is very competent, and I’d worked with him only two weeks previously. There is absolutely nothing to indicate he didn’t know what he was doing.”

Coroner Richard Hulett returned a verdict of accidental death.

He said: “It is unclear whether he was thrown from the vehicle or whether he tried to jump clear after taking the seat belt off, it is impossible to say.

“What we do know is something unforeseen and unintended happened and it cost him his life. The injuries were severe and instant and led to his death.”