A FARMER died after a tractor tyre exploded his face while he inflated it.

Joshua Hardman, 23, was helping fix the large tyre when it suddenly blew up – propelling a wheel rim into his head.

The dad-of-one suffered fatal head injuries in the horror at a Lancashire farm run by partnership, William Hesketh and Sons.

The firm has now been fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £8,605 in costs after admitting breaching health and safety regulations.

A probe by the Health and Safety Executive found the company had failed to properly assess and plan the work.

It also concluded the risk of explosion was much higher as the tyre, wheel rim, and inner tube were all in a poorly maintained condition.

Investigators said a suitable assessment had not been made to determine whether the tyre could be inflated safely.

Preston Magistrates’ Court was told Joshua was helping one of the partners, Bill Hesketh, re-seat and inflate the tyre.

As Hesketh inflated the inner tube on May 7, 2021, it suddenly exploded.

Joshua was rushed to hospital where he underwent skull and brain surgery.

Tragically he couldn’t be saved died just over a month later on June 11, 2021.

His family said in a statement: “Joshua was a very loving, caring, kind and gentle person. He had a heart of gold.

“He was also an amazing dad, and it is heart-breaking that he will never reach his full potential in that role.

“His five-year-old daughter will miss out on a great deal of love and affection and the role he would have played in her life.”

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Anthony Banks said the “tragic incident” could have been avoided.

He added: “HSE would like to make all employers aware that, before they undertake the inflation of large commercial tyres, they need to have correctly assessed the risk and have in place the suitable controls for the task.”