WHEN locals ventured out to inspect a downed tree following a violent storm they didn’t expect to find a skeleton dangling from its roots.

Stunned archaeologists were called to the town of Collooney in Ireland after the human remains were ripped from the ground.

The Mirror reports that the National Monuments Service commissioned an archaeological consultancy to excavate the site.

Initial investigations found that the skeleton most likely come from a young man (17 to 20 years old) who suffered a violent death around 030-1200 AD.

Archaeologists said several injuries were clearly visible on the hands and ribs.

Half of the skeleton was left hanging in the air after becoming tangled up in the falling tree roots.

Investigations are continuing.