An inquest has revealed that a tree which fell and killed 12-year-old Brooke Wiggins should have had recommended work carried out, but no concrete plan was made by Surrey County Council. The inquest heard the council prioritised work based on risk and value for money.
The inquest into the tragic death of 12-year-old Brooke Wiggins has revealed a concerning lack of action regarding a dangerous tree that ultimately caused her fatal injuries.
Brooke died just days before her 13th birthday after falling from a rope swing attached to a beech tree in Banstead, Surrey. The tree, maintained by Surrey County Council, had a hidden crack concealed by ivy, and a review in May 2022 recommended the ivy's removal to facilitate future inspections.
However, this work was never carried out despite being assigned a priority rating of five, meaning it 'should' have been completed within 12 months. During the inquest, Katherine McDonald, the council's group manager for countryside, struggled to define what 'should' meant in this context, stating that advice from a tree surgeon did not translate into a 'concrete plan'. A re-inspection was scheduled for May 2024 but never took place.
The council's policy dictates the removal of rope swings within seven days, and while they typically remove around 15 swings annually, they often opt for advisory notices in areas with multiple swings. Miss McDonald admitted that had she been aware of the swings on the tree Brooke was using, signage would 'certainly' have been considered, but no signs were erected after the incident.
The council manages 'millions' of trees and prioritizes work based on risk and value for money, leading to delays in addressing lower-priority issues. The circumstances surrounding Brooke's death are deeply troubling, highlighting a potential disconnect between identified risks and actual preventative measures. Following the tragedy, a 'serious incident group' was formed, but it deliberately excluded Brooke's family, deemed 'insensitive' to involve them in the internal administrative process.
The inquest heard harrowing details of the rescue attempt, which took between 90 minutes and two hours, but Brooke succumbed to her severe injuries shortly after being freed. The failure to address the known issue with the tree, coupled with the lack of public awareness campaigns regarding rope swing dangers, raises serious questions about the council's commitment to public safety and responsible tree management.
The case underscores the critical need for clear protocols, consistent follow-through, and transparent communication in managing public spaces and mitigating potential hazards
Brooke Wiggins Surrey County Council Inquest Tree Safety Rope Swing Banstead
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