A major emergency response is underway in Chalkwell Park this afternoon after part of a large tree reportedly collapsed onto a group of children.
Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the popular Southend park at around 3pm, which is understood to have happened near the rose garden.
Two air ambulances have landed at the scene, carrying emergency doctors.
Multiple paramedics, police and fire crews are also all in attendance.
An eyewitness at the park told Your Southend: “Police, fire brigade and paramedics are all at the scene. People are being advised to leave the park.”
Another witness described how the incident unfolded beneath an old tree by the rose garden. They said: “A massive branch of the tree snapped off. It looks really serious there”.
The tree involved is believed to have been visibly weakened, with reports that it had been propped up and supported.
Chalkwell Park, which is especially busy during summer months, has been cleared of visitors while emergency services manage the situation.
Rachel Wood said her partner was in the park when the tree fell. She said: “My partner and his friends rushed to help immediately when the tree fell, along with many others in the park. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and children involved. It’s a really horrific incident.”
Your Southend will provide further updates as more information becomes available. We have asked the ambulance service, Essex Police and Southend City Council for an update on the situation.
KEY UPDATE 16:30:
Essex Police has provided us with a statement. A spokesperson for the force said: “We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park. Officers, alongside ambulance and fire service colleagues, are responding.
“We were alerted shortly before 3pm to reports of a tree falling in the park. There have been a number of casualties and our work is ongoing.
“We would please ask the public to avoid this area while this work continues. Updates will be issued as soon as is possible.”
KEY UPDATE 17:00:
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 2.55pm to reports that a tree had fallen in Chalkwell Park in Chalkwell. Six ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, the London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.
“Two children were transported by road to Southend University Hospital. A further three children were later transported by road to the same hospital with minor injuries.”
KEY UPDATE 17:15:
Councillor Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: “We are aware of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park and are working closely with Essex Police, the ambulance service and fire service, who remain at the scene.
“We understand that a tree has fallen and that there are a number of casualties. We ask the public to avoid the area while emergency services carry out their work. Our thoughts are with all those affected, and we will provide further updates as soon as possible.”
KEY UPDATE 21:15:
Very sadly, it has now been confirmed that a child has died following the earlier incident in Chalkwell Park, and another child remains in a “critical condition” in hospital.
A number of children were caught beneath the tree and suffered injuries. The park was busy with members of the public and many people immediately went to the aid of the children.
Police officers, paramedics and firefighters were soon on the scene and provided emergency care. Two girls aged seven and six suffered the most serious injuries and were rushed to hospital.
Sadly, the seven-year-old girl has since died in hospital. Her family are receiving support from specialist police officers.
The six-year-old girl remains in a critical condition.
Three further children have minor injuries and received hospital treatment.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “Enquiries are continuing at the park and an investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances around this incident.
“The majority of the park remains open, but we would continue to ask the public to avoid the clearly cordoned off areas.
“We are in the process of setting up a public portal for people with concerns or information around this incident to reach out to us. An update around this will be issued in the coming days.”
Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said: “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. 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. My officers, and our partners with the ambulance and fire service, did all they could to help the two injured children.
“Today’s loss is one they will all take personally. We will ensure support is in place for all of our emergency service responders who provided aid at the scene.”
Southend West and Leigh MP David Burton-Sampson added: “The news of the sad death of one of the children involved in the incident at Chalkwell Park today is truly devastating.
“I am sure I reflect the thoughts of all our residents here in Southend in sending my deepest condolences to the child’s family and friends.
“My thoughts are also with the other children injured and I wish them a full and speedy recovery.
“I understand that this must have been deeply traumatising and I encourage residents to use the support available to help them.”
