A tragic incident claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl named Brooke Wiggins when a tree branch broke while she was using a rope swing, leaving her trapped under the fallen branch for up to two hours. The assistant coroner, Ivor Collett, emphasized the importance of investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, given that the tree seemed like a typical playing spot for children.
During a pre-inquest review, it was revealed that the tree, responsible for Brooke’s death, was under the ownership and maintenance responsibility of Surrey County Council, although the incident occurred on land owned by the London Borough of Sutton. Emergency services were summoned to the scene near Banstead, Surrey, where it took specialized equipment and considerable effort to free Brooke.
The Health and Safety Executive, in collaboration with tree experts from Surrey County Council, conducted an investigation into the incident. Mr. Collett highlighted the role of Surrey County Council in the ownership and maintenance of the tree, emphasizing that there was no wrongdoing on Brooke’s part.
Despite a suggestion to “monolith” the tree by cutting off its branches, this action has not yet been taken to allow for further investigations. However, Mr. Collett mentioned that the necessary work on the tree could proceed.
Unfortunately, this tragedy adds to a series of fatal incidents involving council-owned trees, including cases like that of Lukasz Costazza, Madia Kauser, a homeless man in Blackpool, and seven-year-old Leonna Ruka. Investigations by Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive are ongoing, with a full inquest into Brooke’s death scheduled for the following year.