A DIGGER driver was left fighting for his life after a garden wall collapsed in Mannamead.

The man, aged 40, suffered multiple injuries when a concrete slab and rubble fell on him from an archway.

Emergency services were called to a house undergoing renovation in the exclusive residential area of Thorn Park at 11.10am yesterday.

Police investigating the horrific incident said they have concerns about the safety of the mini digger.

Pictures show the vehicle appeared to have had no roof or overhead safety bars.

The victim, from Ashburton, was trapped in the seat by the steel-reinforced concrete lintel.

He was freed by firemen and taken to Derriford Hospital by ambulance under police escort. He underwent emergency surgery yesterday afternoon.

Sergeant Andy Smith, of Charles Cross, said the inquiry is being handed over to the Health and Safety Executive due to "issues" at the scene.

He said: "We had some concerns about the health and safety of the operation and the equipment being used. We have got concerns about the digger in relation to its health and safety.

"At the moment we are trying to ascertain the circumstances under which the builders were working at the site."

He said the privately owned house, which is currently unoccupied, is undergoing renovation by workmen.

Vans from a building company were parked nearby.

Sgt Smith said: "It would appear that part of a rear garden wall, over a garage roll door, collapsed.

"The man was taken to hospital where they treated him for internal and spinal life-threatening injuries."

Watch commander Graham Willson, of Greenbank fire station, described the urgent rescue operation.

He said: "The man was trapped by the legs under a lintel about two and a half feet long, with lumps of rubble either side attached by steel reinforcement.

"We made the scene safe and assisted paramedics before using hydraulic equipment to cut through the steel bar which meant we could lift the lintel.

"We assisted paramedics to get him on to a spinal board and into the ambulance, to get him to Derriford Hospital where doctors were waiting for him."

Watch commander Willson said firemen only cut through the lintel's steel reinforcements. They did not need to remove parts of the digger.

Nearby resident Alexander Leskin, aged 68, witnessed the aftermath of the wall collapse.

He said renovations at the house include replacing the front garden with paving, and changing the hardstanding in the back yard to a garden.

"I came outside to see fire engines, ambulances and police cars," he said.

"They cleared the rubble off him before putting him on a spinal board.

"He was conscious but in pain."

Police yesterday scoured the scene, took photographs and spoke to witnesses. The digger was removed from the scene, the wall was demolished and the area secured with fencing.

Officers were also working to track down the man's next of kin.

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: "The HSE are investigating and an inspector has visited the site. Our inquiries are continuing."