Freak grass cutter death

An Australian woman walking to work in Townsville was killed during a freak accident after she was struck in the head by flying metal thrown up by a grass cutter, which decapitated her.

The 42 year-old, who has not been named, is believed to have been struck by a 60cm piece of steel pipe, in what witnesses described as a freak accident.

Workplace safety officials have launched an investigation.