19 hours ago
Tree that killed girl, 7, was ‘propped up by metal poles'
A tree that collapsed and killed a seven-year-old girl in Southend-on-Sea on Saturday had been 'propped up by metal supports for years'.
She and four other children were taken to hospital after a branch fell in Chalkwell Park while they were playing underneath it.
One six-year-old girl remains in critical condition.
Dozens of members of the public rushed to help those trapped underneath the fallen tree before police officers, paramedics and firefighters attended.
Cllr James Courtenay, who leads the council's Conservative group and represents the ward in which the tragedy took place, called for an investigation into what happened.
He said: 'We shouldn't rush to judgment, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't conduct a full and thorough investigation.'
He added: 'I believe the council should review internally what knowledge it has and what actions should be taken in the park and other parks. We need one investigation that gets to the bottom of it and understands what happened.'
Mr Courtenay, 42, said he believed the tree had been supported by poles for years, if not decades.
'I went down this morning and laid flowers on behalf of the Chalkwell councillors and the Conservative group on the council. You could see a steady flow of people coming to visit,' he added.
'I think my reaction was one of disbelief. That tree had been there for so long, it was an old tree when I was a lad.
'In this day and age, parents are always worried about their children in parks, but the one thing you wouldn't worry about is a tree collapsing. I can barely begin to imagine what the family must feel. Their world has been turned upside down in seconds.'
Writing on Facebook, Jack Whitaker, a resident, said: 'I live five minutes down the road. [The] tree had been braced for years. A very light reduction had been carried out a few years ago.
'[The] limb that had been braced was substantial and held a huge amount of lateral weight. Said limb was in a high-risk area with lots of foot traffic directly under its path.'
Nicholas Salman wrote on social media: 'Can't just stick a few metal poles under a 20-tonne tree and leave it and expect it to be ok. Then build a bench under to help kids climb up.
'My kids tried to do the same, but obviously I stopped them as one is six years old! Absolutely heartbreaking, my thoughts are with the family.'
'A danger for years'
Victoria Muscat also commented on the tragedy online, saying it was 'totally avoidable'. She said: 'They've known it's a danger for years. Thoughts are with the family.'
Chris Roftis agreed: 'The council should have a tree person who checks every day if trees are rotting, unsafe etc. So council has got a lot of answering to do as well.'
Southend-on-Sea city council has been contacted for comment.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: 'Shortly before 3pm on Saturday, June 28, it was reported a tree had partially collapsed in Chalkwell Park.
'A number of children were caught beneath the tree and suffered injuries. The park was busy with members of the public and many immediately went to their aid.'
Ch Supt Leighton Hammett of Essex Police added: 'Families are facing unimaginable hardship this evening and all of our thoughts are with them at this time.
'I cannot begin to put into words how difficult today's events have been, and continue to be, for them.
'It's also not lost on me how traumatic it must have been for the members of the public who witnessed this awful incident.'
