A burglar died today after plunging more than 20ft through the roof of a building full of chainsaws, scythes, mowers and other garden machinery.
He landed on a piece of equipment and was fatally injured, say Northamptonshire Police.
The gruesome scene greeted Jamie Sharman, the boss of Corby Garden Machinery in St James's Road, who arrived to open up this morning.
He found the bloodstained body on a piece of machinery inside the premises.
It is believed the burglar was trying to break into the building when he fell through the roof.
His fall was so rapid that it did not trigger alarms in the building and his death was only discovered when Mr Sharman, of Ringstead, arrived at work at 7.30am.
Police are still on the scene.
Mr Sharman, who has been left shaken by the horrific discovery, said "I came in through the side entrance and saw him lying on a piece of machinery.
"I phoned the police straight away and the ambulance came. He had been dead for some time. It was a sad sight.
"We are regularly targeted here. They want hand tools that they can transport easily and sell on.
"We've made it as difficult as possible for them with good security but we are still getting burglars trying to get in."
A nearby business owners said "We are getting targeted all the time.
"They go up on the roof to see how long it takes the alarm to be triggered and then they come back.
"It's like a jewellery shop for them."
A black Ford Mondeo car found parked at the scene is being examined by police.
