Johnny Kingdom death: Wildlife presenter dies after digger accident, aged 79

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Wildlife TV presenter Johnny Kingdom has died after an accident on his land.

The film-maker, photographer and author, who specialised in his local area of Exmoor and north Devon, was 79.

Police were called to a field near Wadham Cross in Knowstone, Devon, to reports a digger had rolled over at about 9pm on Thursday.

Emergency services attended and Mr Kingdom was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, his family said: “This is a short message from the family, unfortunately a legend has been lost.

“Johnny would want you all to continue with his love for Exmoor as you all meant so much to him.

“As the loving man himself would have said: ‘Farewell to all you lovely people’. RIP 23/02/39- 06/09/18.”

Mr Kingdom’s family asked for privacy following his death.

A spokeswoman for Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to a single-vehicle collision in the field on Thursday night.

“It was reported that a digger had rolled over in a field,” the force spokeswoman said.

“Emergency services attended and a 79-year-old local man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“His next of kin are aware.”