'That's a close call': Cameras rolling as man comes within INCHES of cutting face open with chainsaw during live news broadcast

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 9:42 AM on 9th November 2011

An Illinois man had a close brush with death when chainsaw blades nearly sliced his face off - and the tense moment was caught on live TV.
WTVW reporter Drew Gardner was doing a storm damage report in Carmi, Illinois, as a man was using a chainsaw near a fallen tree behind him.
But when the remains of a downed tree suddenly snapped back to earth, it took the chainsaw - and the terrified worker - with it.
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Tree trouble: WTVW reporter Drew Gardner was doing a report in front of a downed tree in storm-battered Carmi, Illinois

The man can be seen being dragged by the chainsaw as the fast-moving blades come within inches of touching his face.
Despite falling into a ditch in the struggle, he somehow held on to the chainsaw and did not appear to be hurt.

Uh oh: But as the tree roots slam back down to earth, it takes a chainsaw - and the worker holding it - for a ride

He proceeds to get up and walk off like nothing happened, as Gardner continues the weather report.
The tree was one of several in the area that fell during devastating storms, though the exact date of the broadcast could not be determined.

Dangerously close: As the worker struggles to regain control of the chainsaw, his face comes within inches of being violently cut off

The clip was uploaded to YouTube by Gardner himself last week under the headline 'Man Nearly Saws His Face During My Stand-up.'
Gardner's description read: 'A man standing behind me has a dangerously close call with a chainsaw during my storm coverage story in Southern Illinois.'
'Play the clip till the end and see it in slow motion.'

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