Local council is being prosecuted after death of father, 48, killed by falling 134ft lime tree while out walking his dog

A council is being prosecuted for alleged health and safety offences over the death of a 48-year-old father who was killed by a falling tree while walking his dog.

Chris Hall was exercising his working cocker spaniel Benson on their regular walking route in a park in Wilmslow, Cheshire in August 2020 when he was fatally injured by the 134ft lime tree.

Paying tribute to the father-of-one, a regional manager for a software business, his family described him as an ‘exceptional human being’ with an ‘outstanding work ethic and the ability to make everyone laugh and light up a room’.

‘No words can ever convey how much he was loved,’ his widow Fiona, 55, added.

Now the Health and Safety Executive has announced it is taking action against both Cheshire East Council and ANSA Environmental Services Ltd, a company owned by the authority.

Passers-by raised the alarm after finding that Mr Hall had been hit by a tree in a beauty spot called the Carrs on August 28, 2020.

But he died soon afterwards despite the efforts of emergency services.

Since his death, his widow and his son Sam, 25, have raised almost £10,000 for children’s health charities and set up a sculpture in his memory in the park where he died.

Cheshire East Council is accused of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and ANSA Environmental Services Limited is accused of breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of same legislation.

A spokesman for the authority said: ‘As the legal process continues, our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with Mr Hall’s family.

‘As this matter is subject to legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.’

A date for court proceedings to begin has not yet been fixed.