AN inquest opened this week after an 81-year-old Headley man died after becoming trapped beneath his car.

It is thought that John Burrows was working on the car, at his home in Hilland Rise on Saturday afternoon, when it rolled on top of him.

An eyewitness told the Herald that it was believed that Mr Burrows was supposed to have done “some maintenance on his car that morning while his wife was at home”.

“Instead, he worked on his vehicle alone while his wife went out shopping,” the witness added.

“The car apparently rolled away, trapping the man underneath.

“Neighbours raised the alarm. In total, at least six Hampshire police cars attended the scene.

“In addition, the air ambulance landed in a field next to the village green but paramedics could not revive the man and the fire service was called to lift the car.”

It is believed that a funfair taking place on the village green prevented the air ambulance from landing there, and so it landed on the adjacent field.

As Hampshire’s air ambulance was unavailable, Surrey’s was dispatched to the incident but was “stood down” at the scene.

A neighbour said they were alerted to the commotion after seeing the helicopter circling, looking for a place to land.

A single crew from Bordon Fire Station attended the incident, but a Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesman explained that their role was “relatively limited” and involved making the scene “accessible” for other services.

However, despite lifting the car away, efforts to save the man’s life ultimately failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hampshire Constabulary, in a statement, said: “Officers were called at 2.42pm on Saturday, April 2, to a report of a man trapped under a car in Hilland Rise in Headley.

“Sadly, the 81-year-old man later died of his injuries. The death isn’t being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner in due course.”

A spokesman from Headley Bowling Club confirmed that Mr Burrows’ wife, Sylvia, was secretary at the club. “The members are devastated by the news,” he added.

North East Hampshire Coroner’s office confirmed the identity of the man, and said an inquest will be held on May 18 in Basingstoke.