Latest news with #WestcliffCricketClub
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Tree that killed child ‘was held up by supports for decades'
A tree that collapsed, killing one child and injuring four others had been held up by supports for decades, a senior councillor has said. A seven-year-old girl was killed and a six-year-old girl was left critically injured after the tree fell in Chalkwell Park, Southend-on-Sea, on Saturday afternoon. Three other children sustained minor injuries in the incident. Police are investigating what happened and an area has been set up for the laying of flowers and tributes. Southend council's Conservative group leader Councillor James Courtenay recalled playing near the tree as a child in the 1990s, when it had wooden supports that were later replaced with metal ones. 'When I was a child I remember it having wooden supports back in the 1990s,' Mr Courtenay told the BBC. Since then it has had metal bars holding it up for years, he added. Dozens of eyewitnesses saw the tragic event with about 40-50 people rushing to try and lift the fallen tree to rescue the trapped children. 'It really must have taken half the cricket team with others to move it,' he said of the Westcliff Cricket Club players, who were amongst those first trying to lift the tree. 'It's absolutely huge branches for a tree that's hundreds of years old.' Assistant chief constable Lucy Morris of Essex Police said: 'Updates will be provided on the condition of the little girl who remains in hospital. 'I know many will be thinking of her today and she is in the right place, receiving urgent and around-the-clock care surrounded by her family. 'Sadly, her condition is still very serious at this time.'
Metro
30-06-2025
- Metro
Cricket club heroes praised after trying to save children from collapsed tree
A cricket club has been lauded for their bravery after members sprinted off the field to help lift a tree that collapsed on five children in a park. Families were enjoying the warm weather in Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea when a tree suddenly collapsed, striking the group. A seven-year-old girl was killed, three other children were injured, and a six-year-old girl is still in 'very serious' condition after the tragedy. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the young girl killed in the tragic accident and has currently raised over £23,000. Local community members jumped into action after the tree, which witnesses said was held up by metal poles 'for years', suddenly fell. Spokesperson for Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket Club, Tom Clark, told Metro the team didn't see the children before the incident, but quickly ran over to help. 'The area was behind our clubhouse and is busy with lots of families and children around,' he said. 'Between 50 to 60 people were involved in lifting the tree: players, spectators, members from Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket club, Old Brentwoods Cricket Club, Leigh-on-Sea Cricket Club and Redbridge Cricket Club, along with members of the public. 'It was a harrowing experience for all involved, with not only the sight of the children but the cries from the parents as well. 'Everyone reacted without hesitation and did all they could to help the children, including performing CPR and assisting the emergency services who were on the scene quickly and took control of the rescue effort.' First team captain of Westcliff Cricket Club member Joe Robbins, said on Facebook: 'It's absolutely heartbreaking as a parent of two young girls to see what happened, and mine and the whole club's hearts go out to the parents of those children involved. 'I want to comment on the unbelievable heroism of the members at the club and our first 11 members who sprinted off the field to attend and do their best to help, and to all of those who assisted and provided for the amazing emergency services who were at the scene. 'All of us at Westcliff Cricket Club are heartbroken by what's happened, and we pass on our regards to the families involved. Have to say those police officers at the scene were a credit to Essex Police, as well as all of the emergency services.' The club also released an official statement, reading: 'Everyone at Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket Club is devastated to learn the news about the young girl who passed away at Chalkwell Park on Saturday afternoon. More Trending 'Our condolences and thoughts go out to the little girl's family. We cannot begin to imagine the pain they must be going through. Our best wishes are with the remaining casualties, and we can only hope they pull through.' Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said: 'It's not lost on me how traumatic it must have been for the members of the public who witnessed this awful incident. 'Across a matter of moments, many of them went from enjoying the warm summer weather to rushing to the aid of strangers without a second thought. 'They showed the best of Southend today, and I'm sorry this update does not bring them more positive news.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Tree that killed girl, 7, and badly hurt another 'was propped up by metal poles' MORE: Traffic delays on M25 after multi-vehicle crash MORE: Second miracle of 11A after another Brit was booked onto Air India plane but had to change flights
