Girl, 7, dies after tree falls in Southend’s Chalkwell Park

Louise ParryBBC Information, EssexStuart Woodward/BBCSecurity tape cordons off the world the place a tree fell at Chalkwell Park in EssexA witness has described how “40 to 50 folks” tried to raise a fallen tree in a park after it trapped kids, killing one in every of them.A seven-year-old lady died in hospital and a six-year-old lady is in a essential situation after the tree collapsed in Chalkwell Park, Southend-on-Sea, on Saturday afternoon.Accountant Ishan Madan, 39, was taking part in cricket close by and mentioned: “The tree had snapped and I feel there have been 4 kids, the fifth one was barely additional away, I feel she’d be hit by a department.”Members of the general public have been laying flowers on the scene and Essex Police mentioned investigation would proceed on the park on Sunday. Stuart Woodward/BBCPeople have been putting flowers on the park following the accident Ch Supt Leighton Hammett mentioned final evening: “Households are dealing with unimaginable hardship this night and all of our ideas are with them presently.”Specialist officers are supporting the households of these affected, whereas assist can be being supplied to emergency service responders.5 kids have been taken to hospital, three with minor accidents after the incident shortly earlier than 15:00 BST. Mr Madan, from Westcliffe-on-Sea, mentioned on listening to a scream, everybody ran in direction of the tree.”Two of them [the children] have been underneath a smaller department, they have been rescued simply, and sadly, the opposite two women, they have been caught underneath this huge tree.”So we acquired bystanders to assist, it should have been 40 to 50 individuals who then tried to raise the fallen tree up and to our horror, these two little women, poor women, have been caught beneath it.””Their mom was on the nook. It was horrendous.”Mr Madan mentioned he was instructed the kids had been strolling on a path when the tree fell.Captain of Westcliff Cricket Membership Joe Robbins praised “the unbelievable heroism of the members on the membership and our First XI who sprinted off the sphere to do their greatest to assist” and assisted the emergency companies.”All of us are heartbroken by what’s occurred and we go on our regards to the households concerned,” he mentioned.Elliot Deady/BBCA witness mentioned as much as 50 folks ran to attempt to raise the tree off the kids who have been trappedCh Supt Hammett added: “I can’t start to place into phrases how tough right now’s occasions have been, and proceed to be, for them [the families]. “It is also not misplaced on me how traumatic it should have been for the members of the general public who witnessed this terrible incident.”Throughout a matter of moments, a lot of them went from having fun with the nice and cozy summer time climate to speeding to the help of strangers and not using a second thought.”He continued: “They confirmed one of the best of Southend right now, and I am sorry this replace doesn’t convey them extra constructive information.”My officers, and our companions with the ambulance and hearth service, did all they may to assist the 2 injured kids.”As we speak’s loss is one they may all take personally.”Aaron CheshamTwo air ambulances attended the incident and 5 kids have been taken to hospital by land ambulanceDavid Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, mentioned: “The information of the unhappy demise of one of many kids concerned within the incident at Chalkwell Park right now is really devastating.”I’m positive I mirror the ideas of all our residents right here in Southend in sending my deepest condolences to the kid’s household and pals.”My ideas are additionally with the opposite kids injured and I want them a full and speedy restoration.”On the time of the incident, the park was very busy and a variety of folks witnessed what occurred.”Aaron CheshamEmergency companies have been known as simply earlier than 15:00 after a tree fell in Chalkwell Park in Southend