A farmer is under investigation for manslaughter after the death of an Italian motocross enthusiast who was practically decapitated by barbed wire stretched across a country track.

Marco Badiali, 48, who was married with two children, bled to death from a “deep wound across his throat” at Pavullo in the Appenines near Modena.

Friends said that he had been riding a Yamaha 450VR among a group of seven bikers to celebrate his birthday. The wire had been stretched across the track at a height of 1.5m (5ft), making it “almost invisible” to riders.

Reports said that there was a history of disputes between motocross enthusiasts and local residents.

One of the group of motorcyclists said that the track was also used by mountain bikers and horse riders. “Any of them could have been killed,” he said.

Times Recommends

• Thousands of Tamils dying in 'welfare camp'
• Jackson 'rebuilt his nose before he died'
• Renewed Iran protests crushed by militia