Tree that killed child was propped up for decades

Nadira Tudor/BBC

A tree that collapsed and killed a seven-year-old girl had been propped up by supports for decades, a senior councillor has said.

Hundreds of bunches of flowers and other tributes have been left in Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea following Saturday's incident, which also seriously injured a girl aged six.

City councillor and Conservative group leader, James Courtenay, said he had memories of playing near the tree as a child in the 1990s, with the wooden supports being eventually upgraded to metal ones.

An investigation is under way into what happened, with inspections of the tree taking place on Monday.

Stuart Woodward/BBC

Up to 50 people tried to lift the tree when it trapped five children underneath it shortly before 15:00 BST, witnesses told the BBC.

Assistant Chief Constable Lucy Morris said the six-year-old girl was receiving "around-the-clock care" in hospital, surrounded by her family.

The remaining three youngsters have been treated for minor injuries.

Speaking to the BBC, Courtenay shared his condolences and well-wishes for the little girl in hospital.

He said he had been visiting the park for 40 years and had memories of playing there.

"When I was a child I remember it having wooden supports back in the 1990s," he said.

He added it had since had metal bars holding it up for many years.

Players from Westcliff Cricket Club were some of the first to attempt to lift the tree after it fell.

Mr Courtenay said: "It really must have taken half the cricket team with others to move it.

"It's absolutely huge branches for a tree that's hundreds of years old."

Stuart Woodward/BBC

Nearby resident Stephen Goodsell has been among many people who have left tributes at the scene.

Speaking on Sunday, he said local people felt "absolute numbness, deep shock and sadness".

"As a father and a grandfather, you ache for the parents of the children involved," said the 67-year-old.

"I've not been able to sleep since hearing the news.

"This is just a tiny gesture to show the love we feel for the children, the family and everyone that's suffering, because we're suffering too."

Bev Noakes, who was among those placing flowers, said: "There's lots of people who witnessed it, young children who witnessed it and it must be awful."

Stuart Woodward/BBC

David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: "For somebody so young to lose their life in such a tragic situation is really heartbreaking.

"Both myself and the rest of the community are devastated."

The park, west of the city centre, is run by Southend-on-Sea City Council.

Labour leader of the council Daniel Cowan said: "This was a traumatic event for those involved, those who witnessed the incident and the emergency services.

"I encourage those affected to seek support."

A spokesperson from the Health and Safety Executive said: "Our inspectors will be visiting the site as we continue to support Essex Police."

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People tried to lift tree that fell and killed girl