'Improvements needed' after tree branch death

Emergency services including an air ambulance were called to Ashcombe Park, in Weston-super-Mare, where they helped Carol Shearing

The family of a woman who died after being struck by a falling tree branch has called on the local council to make "improvements".

Carol Spearing, 75, was walking her dog in Weston-super-Mare on 5 June last year when she was hit by the large branch. She suffered head injuries and died in hospital weeks later, an inquest heard.

Sean Spearing, one of her two sons, said after her inquest that North Somerset Council must make improvements "to prevent something like this happening in the future".

The council has been approached for comment.

Peter Harrowing, area coroner for Avon, recorded a conclusion of accidental death at the end of Mrs Spearing's inquest, which ended on Friday.

A fundraiser set up in her memory has received more than £3,900 in donations.

'Taken far too soon'

The inquest was told Mrs Spearing met her friends for a walk in Ashcombe Park with her dog, Barney, when a loud crack was heard and she was struck by the branch.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service firefighters freed her from under the branch, and she was later airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by Great Western Air Ambulance.

Mrs Spearing, a retired florist who was born in Cardiff, had surgery but her condition deteriorated and she died in hospital on 30 June.

She ran Carol's Flowers in High Street, Weston-super-Mare, for many years, her son Sean Spearing said in a statement to the inquest.

Mr Spearing said his mother "dearly" loved her grandchildren and great-granddaughter, and had been married to her husband Fred for 56 years.

"Our mother was a caring, supportive, fun-loving person who was taken from us far too soon," Mr Spearing said.

"Improvements need to be made to prevent something like this happening in the future."

'No concerns' over tree

Dr Harrowing ruled out making a report to prevent future deaths as he had "no concerns regarding the management of trees by North Somerset Council and this tree, in particular".

The coroner told the inquest the tree had been regularly inspected, with the last examination in July 2023 finding no defects and in line with national guidelines.

George Taylor, who works for council-contracted ground maintenance company Glendale, told the inquest the tree was "low risk".

Simon Cox, who carried out a report on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, said the tree had previously been inspected by a specialist and no concerns were raised.