Children among casualties after tree falls in park

In the foreground is police tape across a promenade. Black railings fence off an area of park and you can see fallen branches of a huge tree, that looks like a variety of fir or cedar. Its trunk is dark and thick and at least two very large branches are spread out sideways. Two people are looking at it from the left side of the picture.Elliot Deady/BBC

Police tape cordons off the area where children were injured when a tree fell at Chalkwell Park in Essex

Louise Parry
BBC News, Essex

Five children have been taken to hospital, two with serious injuries, after a tree fell in a seaside park.

Essex Police said there were "a number of casualties" after the "serious incident" at Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea.

The force was called shortly before 15:00 BST on Saturday and was at the scene along with ambulance and fire service teams.

"We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues," police said in a statement on social media.

A different viewpoint of the fallen tree, seen from the side. Half of the trunk is split down the middle and the top is missing entirely. There are branches on the floor and yellow hazard tape al around. A person in white forensic outfit walks past three onlookers. A series of smart wooden benches lines the edge of the lawn, were other trees also stand.Elliot Deady/BBC

Southend-on-Sea City Council asked the public to stay away from the area while emergency workers continued on the scene

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "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."

They added that "six ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, the London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance were sent to the scene".

A red helicopter with yellow stripes on the tail hovers above the lawn of a large park, about 2 metres above it. You can see an ambulance on the road next to the park and cars parked alongside the fence. There are trees around the edge of the park.Aaron Chesham

Two air ambulances attended the incident and five children were taken to hospital by land ambulance

Five white police cars with yellow and blue neon checks are all parked in a row alongside the park, which is edged with large trees in leaf. One car has its blue flashing lights on. There is a traffic light on green to the left of the shot. Aaron Chesham

Emergency services were called just before 15:00 after a tree fell in Chalkwell Park in Southend

Southend-on-Sea City Council leader Daniel Cowan said: "I'm aware of this very serious incident. We're working with Essex police, the ambulance service and fire service.

"I do understand that a tree has fallen, there's a number of casualties and we're just asking the public to avoid the area whilst those services carry out their work, and my thoughts are with those affected."

The MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, told the BBC:

"I am aware of the terrible accident that has happened at Chalkwell Park this afternoon.

"My deepest thoughts are with all those who have been impacted

"I encourage people not to speculate at this stage but to avoid the area and allow the emergency services to do their work."

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