A 12-year-old girl died after being crushed by a tree branch when recommended work to remove ivy was not carried out, an inquest has heard.
Brooke Wiggins' Tragic Death
Brooke Wiggins died just days before her 13th birthday on November 9, 2024, in Banstead, Surrey. She fell from a rope swing attached to a large branch of a beech tree, which suddenly snapped and crushed her beneath its weight.
The inquest at South London Coroner's Court heard that the tree, maintained by Surrey County Council, had been inspected in May 2022. Inspectors recommended removing ivy covering the tree to allow for closer inspection. However, this work was never carried out, and a re-inspection scheduled for May 2024 did not take place.
The ivy had concealed a crack in the tree that was not visible from ground level. After Brooke's death, the crack was revealed.
Council's Response and Policies
Katherine McDonald, the council's group manager for countryside, told the hearing that the work to remove ivy was given a priority rating of five, meaning it 'should' take place within 12 months. However, she explained that this did not amount to a 'concrete plan' and that the council must 'juggle' competing priorities to provide the best value for money.
McDonald stated that the council is responsible for 'millions, not thousands' of trees, making it impossible to complete all recommended work. She also noted that the tree was located metres behind a bridleway, and the council was unaware of public access to the area.
The council's policy is to remove rope swings from trees within seven days. McDonald said at least 15 rope swings are removed each year, and in areas with multiple swings, advisory notices are considered. She acknowledged that if she had known about the swing on the tree, signage would have been considered. However, no signs have been put up at the accident site since Brooke's death.
Community and Family Involvement
When asked about educating the public on rope swing dangers, McDonald said countryside education is 'not an easy subject' and that highlighting undesirable activities could draw attention to them. The council provides advice to schools instead.
A 'serious incident group' was established after Brooke's death to decide the tree's fate. McDonald said the group did not consult the local community or invite Brooke's family, deeming it 'insensitive'. The group was purely administrative. The council decided to reduce the tree to a trunk, despite it being healthy, because of the incident.
Brooke's father Lee and mother Claire Etherington were represented at the inquest, which continues.
