Officers said the 48-year-old man had been working as part of a three-person crew in Champlain Circle near Middlebelt and Lone Pine roads at about 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

According to Fox 2 Detroit, West Bloomfield Police Department Deputy Chief Curt Lawson said: “We received a 911 call from an individual that said his co-worker had been found inside of a wood chipper.

“They were able to provide first aid to the individual who was, at the time, conscious.”

Deputy Chief Lawson later added: “Every indication at this point is that his jacket may have been caught on a branch that was being fed into the wood chipper.”

Paramedics raced to the area shortly after the incident happened and treated the victim for his injuries, but he later died en route to the hospital.

It is not clear at this time if the equipment the crew was using had malfunctioned while it was being used.

Police have not released the name of the company that employed the victim and said he had been working as part of a crew at a private home.

Deputy Chief Lawson said it was difficult for officers to work on cases where someone had suffered such serious injuries.

Speaking to Fox 2 Detroit, he added: “It’s something you can’t prepare yourself for and those officers you know we have a peer support program here.

“We have individuals for them to talk to. And we also debrief that incident because we have to make sure our officers’ mental health is a priority for us.”

Deputy Chief Lawson also extended his condolences to the family and the co-workers of the victim.

He said: “Our hearts go out to the workers on the scene and of course the victim’s family.”

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is also carrying out a separate investigation into the incident.

Newsweek has contacted MOSHA as well as the West Bloomfield Police Department for comment.

According to Chippers Direct, which sells various wood chippers, people should use a long branch, pole or broomstick to push materials into it. By doing this the user avoids getting close to the blades of the chipper.

Its safety advice also includes removing loose clothing that could increase the risk of getting stuck in the chipper and pulled towards the blade.

The website also recommends tucking long hair beneath a hat or using a hair tie and that anyone with a long beard should secure it or tie it up.