A seven-year-old girl has been killed and four other children injured after a branch from a large tree fell down onto them as they played in a park.
A six-year-old girl, who was also caught underneath the tree when it collapsed, is in a critical condition in hospital.
Three other children suffered minor injuries in the horror incident in Chalkwell Park, Westcliff-on-Sea, in Southend, Essex, this afternoon.
One witness, who said he would ‘never forget the screams’ of the children involved, described seeing a tree ‘split and fall to the ground’.
A spokesperson for Essex police said: ‘A child has sadly died and another is in a critical condition in hospital following an incident at a park in Southend.
‘Shortly before 3pm on Saturday, June 28, it was reported a tree had partially collapsed In Chalkwell Park.
‘A number of children were caught beneath the tree and suffered injuries. The park was busy with members of the public and many immediately went to their aid.’
Six ambulances, two air ambulances, firefighters and police officers rushed to the scene in the Essex park just before 3pm today.
A seven-year-old girl has been killed and four other children injured after a branch from a large tree fell down onto them as they played in a park. Picture from the scene
An air ambulance is seen at the scene of the horror incident on Saturday afternoon
Pictured: The tree believed to be involved in the incident today at Chalkwell Park, Westcliff-on-Sea, in Southend, Essex
It is understood the incident happened near the park’s rose garden as well as the manor house Chalkwell Hall, which sits within its grounds.
David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: ‘I am hearing about a worrying incident in Chalkwell Park and I’m awaiting further details.
‘In the meantime please avoid speculation until full details are released. My thoughts are with those affected.’
He later added: ‘As you may be aware it has been confirmed that a tree has fallen and there are a number of casualties.
‘We ask the public to avoid the area and allow the emergency services to do their work.’
The spokesperson for Essex police continued: ‘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.’
An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park in Southend’
The police and the fire brigade previously declared it a ‘serious incident’
Six ambulances, two air ambulances, firefighters and police officers rushed to the Essex park just before 3pm today
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.’
An East of England Ambulance spokesperson previously told MailOnline: ‘We were called at 2.55pm to reports that a tree had fallen in Chalkwell Park in Westcliff-on-Sea.
‘Six ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, the London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.
Police declared a ‘serious incident’ in Chalkwell Park, Westcliff-on-Sea, in Southend, Essex, after the tree collapsed on this afternoon
It is understood the incident happened near the park’s rose garden as well as the manor house Chalkwell Hall, which sits within its grounds
‘Two children were transported by road to Southend University Hospital.
‘A further three children were later transported to the same hospital with minor injuries.’
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: ‘We are at the scene of a serious incident in Chalkwell Park working with ambulance and police colleagues.
‘We were called just before 3pm today to reports of a large fallen tree. There have been a number of casualties and our work is ongoing.
‘Our Urban Search and Rescue Team is in attendance alongside firefighters and officers.
‘We would ask the public to avoid the area while our work continues.’
A spokesperson for Southend County Council has 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.’
MailOnline has contacted Essex Police, London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance for comment.
