Man in his 60s collapses and dies near felled Sycamore Gap beauty spot
A walker died after collapsing in the sweltering heat on the path where the Sycamore Gap tree once stood.
The man in his 60s, who has not yet been named, needed urgent medical help at Steel Rigg near Hadrian's Wall on Saturday as temperatures hit 30c. But he couldn't be revived, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team were called to the incident and said in a statement: "Our thoughts and condolences go to the walker's friends and family."
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "At 1pm on Saturday, July 5, we received a report via the ambulance service that a person was suffering a medical episode while on a path close to Steel Rigg car park in Northumberland. Emergency services attended but the person – a man in his 60s – was sadly pronounced dead a short time later. The man's next of kin have been informed. A report into the man's death has been prepared for the coroner."
Today, two former workmates are both facing up to 10 years behind bars today after they were found guilty of felling the Sycamore Gap tree. Friends Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, had denied criminal damage to the tree, which was around 150 years old, and Hadrian's Wall, despite overwhelming evidence against them.
The news that shocked the nation left people in disgust over the act and the pair have been convicted of two counts of criminal damage. The famous tree had been growing in a dip on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland for more than 100 years before it was savagely cut down by the pair.
A jury at Newcastle Crown Court heard that they had filmed themselves on their 'moronic mission' before boasting about it in text messages. Carruthers was said to have been motivated by a desire to get a trophy from the tree as a 'souvenir' for his daughter, who had been born just 12 days before the tree was felled on September 28, 2023.
There has been an application for Graham and Carruthers to appear in handcuffs in the dock. It is a security measure put in place on occasions to prevent defendants attacking each other before sentence is passed. The application is from the firm responsible for dock security; it has to be agreed by the Judge Mrs Justice Lambert.
Graham had a grudge against authorities who rejected his bid to live near Hadrian's Wall. He had made an application for a 'Lawful Development Certificate' in 2022. Residents and planning officials from Beaumont Parish Council, a remote Cumbrian rural community, told how they felt threatened by Graham's 'dominant and oppressive behaviour'.
When he was charged with felling the tree, a neighbour told of his dislike of the authorities. "When he was refused permission to live there, many people thought he said 'right, I will show them'," said one woman, who declined to be named. "They thought that could have motivated him to do it. His site grew and grew, there were big lorries going back and forth all the time.
"He built a mound to hide what was going on there. When we saw all the police vehicles there, after the tree was felled, we initially thought it was to do with the hunt for a missing person. Later, it became apparent that he had been questioned over the tree." She added: "His behaviour did not change once he was arrested. He still had people going back and forth at all hours of the day and night."
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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
From bragging posts to iconic vid – the damning evidence that led to arrest of idiots who chopped down Sycamore Gap tree
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE two idiots who felled the historic Sycamore Gap tree have finally been jailed for their shocking crime. Now, we reveal the damning evidence that led to their conviction, from bragging posts to a shocking video of the chopping. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 The two men who chopped down the Sycamore Gap tree have finally been jailed Credit: EPA 10 The historic tree had stood by Hadrian's Wall for more than a century before it was felled in September 2023 Credit: AFP 10 Video footage extracted from one of the criminals' phones shows how Carruthers cut down the tree using a chain saw late at night Credit: PA Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were jailed on Tuesday for four years and three months each. Detective Inspector Calum Meikle, who investigated the felling, said he knew he'd solved the crime when he saw the tree's "fantastically famous outline" on one of the perpetrator's phones. He revealed that officers were "tipped off" about Graham and Carruthers' involvement a few weeks after the shocking felling of the historic tree in September 2023. The tip-off stated that the pair of ground workers were responsible for chopping the tree down, even keeping a piece of the wood as a trophy. This led to the arrest of both men and seizing of their phones. Speaking to the Daily Mail, DI Meikle said a video recovered from Graham's device was incredibly dark, with details almost impossible to see. However, after sending it to be digitally enhanced, investigators discovered they had found evidence of the tree being destroyed. Gasps could be heard at Newcastle Crown Court as the now iconic grainy black and white video - accompanied by the sound of a revving chainsaw and cracking wood - was shown for the first time. DI Meikle said: "I'm always impressed with what our digital forensic units are able to achieve. "But, as you have seen from the video, as the person filming moves back, it shows us that fantastically famous outline (which) was undoubtedly the Sycamore Gap tree. Men who cut down iconic Sycamore Gap tree sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in jail "I was very pleased to have that evidence." Graham's phone also housed multiple other pieces of damning evidence, including photographs of a wedge of the tree trunk taken by the criminal as well as that of a chainsaw in the boot of his Range Rover. The pair of idiots not only chopped down the history tree but also damaged Hadrian's Wall during their "moronic mission". In just two minutes and 41 seconds, the two men chopped down the tree, which had stood next to the historic wall for more than a century. At their trial, the court heard how the pair had only recently admitted to responsibility for the felling in interviews with the Probation Service. They accepted they drove 30 miles through a storm to chop down the iconic landmark in the early hours of September 28, 2023. 10 Pictures recovered from Graham's phone show a piece of the iconic tree, and the chainsaw used for the shocking act, in the back of his vehicle Credit: PA 10 DI Meikle said he knew he'd solved the crime when he saw the tree's 'fantastically famous outline' on Graham's phone footage Credit: PA 10 The pair of idiots had travelled from Carlisle overnight to commit the shocking act of vandalism Credit: PA Mrs Justice Christina Lambert said: "I can now be sure you, Adam Carruthers, were the person who felled the tree and you, Daniel Graham, assisted and encouraged him by driving there and back and not least by filming it on your phone." As they fled the scene, Carruthers forwarded the sick video to his partner. The wedge of the iconic tree - which was photographed in their vehicle - has never been found. Following their shocking crime, and as news broke of the vandalism, the pair shared social media posts about the tree, with Graham saying to Carruthers "here we go," as they "revelled" in reports of the crime. Although prosecutors said the friends had chopped the famous tree down for "a bit of a laugh," and suggested Carruthers was so obsessed with the Sycamore Gap that he wanted the wedge as a special souvenir for his newborn daughter, neither has offered any proper explanation for why they did what they did. This week, Carruthers claimed he had drunk a bottle of whisky and could barely remember chopping down the tree - although the judge said this was implausible due to the skill and coordination of the crime. Andrew Gurney, representing Carruthers, said he had made the admissions in a pre-sentence report. 10 Judge Mrs Justice Lambert delivered the sentencing of both criminals this week Credit: PA 10 Daniel Graham, 39, has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison for his role in the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree 10 Adam Carruthers, 32 - who chopped the tree down with a chainsaw - has also been jailed for the same time He said: "He does wish to cleanse his conscience of what he has done. People want to know 'Why? Why did you conduct this mindless act?' "Unfortunately, it is no more than drunken stupidity. He felled that tree and it is something he will regret for the rest of his life. "There's no better explanation than that.' Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, said there had been a 'high degree of planning and premeditation'. He said: "This was an expedition which required significant planning in terms of taking a vehicle, driving for about 40 minutes to a car park, taking with them appropriate specialist equipment, carrying the equipment for about 20 minutes' walk in each direction. 'The felling was carried out in a deliberate, professional way.' On the other side, Graham continued to blame his accomplice, insisting cutting the tree down had been Carruthers' "dream" and "his show" which he simply went along with. The criminal also claimed he was "shocked" that Carruthers had followed through with his plan.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
From bragging posts to iconic vid – the damning evidence that led to arrest of idiots who chopped down Sycamore Gap tree
THE two idiots who felled the historic Sycamore Gap tree have finally been jailed for their shocking crime. Now, we reveal the damning evidence that led to their conviction, from bragging posts to a shocking video of the chopping. 10 10 10 Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were jailed on Tuesday for four years and three months each. Detective Inspector Calum Meikle, who investigated the felling, said he knew he'd solved the crime when he saw the tree's "fantastically famous outline" on one of the perpetrator's phones. He revealed that officers were "tipped off" about Graham and Carruthers' involvement a few weeks after the shocking felling of the historic tree in September 2023. The tip-off stated that the pair of ground workers were responsible for chopping the tree down, even keeping a piece of the wood as a trophy. This led to the arrest of both men and seizing of their phones. Speaking to the Daily Mail, DI Meikle said a video recovered from Graham's device was incredibly dark, with details almost impossible to see. However, after sending it to be digitally enhanced, investigators discovered they had found evidence of the tree being destroyed. Gasps could be heard at Newcastle Crown Court as the now iconic grainy black and white video - accompanied by the sound of a revving chainsaw and cracking wood - was shown for the first time. DI Meikle said: "I'm always impressed with what our digital forensic units are able to achieve. "But, as you have seen from the video, as the person filming moves back, it shows us that fantastically famous outline (which) was undoubtedly the Sycamore Gap tree. Men who cut down iconic Sycamore Gap tree sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in jail "I was very pleased to have that evidence." Graham's phone also housed multiple other pieces of damning evidence, including photographs of a wedge of the tree trunk taken by the criminal as well as that of a chainsaw in the boot of his Range Rover. The pair of idiots not only chopped down the history tree but also damaged Hadrian's Wall during their "moronic mission". In just two minutes and 41 seconds, the two men chopped down the tree, which had stood next to the historic wall for more than a century. At their trial, the court heard how the pair had only recently admitted to responsibility for the felling in interviews with the Probation Service. They accepted they drove 30 miles through a storm to chop down the iconic landmark in the early hours of September 28, 2023. 10 10 10 Mrs Justice Christina Lambert said: "I can now be sure you, Adam Carruthers, were the person who felled the tree and you, Daniel Graham, assisted and encouraged him by driving there and back and not least by filming it on your phone." As they fled the scene, Carruthers forwarded the sick video to his partner. The wedge of the iconic tree - which was photographed in their vehicle - has never been found. Following their shocking crime, and as news broke of the vandalism, the pair shared social media posts about the tree, with Graham saying to Carruthers "here we go," as they "revelled" in reports of the crime. Although prosecutors said the friends had chopped the famous tree down for "a bit of a laugh," and suggested Carruthers was so obsessed with the Sycamore Gap that he wanted the wedge as a special souvenir for his newborn daughter, neither has offered any proper explanation for why they did what they did. This week, Carruthers claimed he had drunk a bottle of whisky and could barely remember chopping down the tree - although the judge said this was implausible due to the skill and coordination of the crime. Andrew Gurney, representing Carruthers, said he had made the admissions in a pre-sentence report. 10 10 10 He said: "He does wish to cleanse his conscience of what he has done. People want to know 'Why? Why did you conduct this mindless act?' "Unfortunately, it is no more than drunken stupidity. He felled that tree and it is something he will regret for the rest of his life. "There's no better explanation than that.' Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, said there had been a 'high degree of planning and premeditation'. He said: "This was an expedition which required significant planning in terms of taking a vehicle, driving for about 40 minutes to a car park, taking with them appropriate specialist equipment, carrying the equipment for about 20 minutes' walk in each direction. 'The felling was carried out in a deliberate, professional way.' On the other side, Graham continued to blame his accomplice, insisting cutting the tree down had been Carruthers' "dream" and "his show" which he simply went along with. The criminal also claimed he was "shocked" that Carruthers had followed through with his plan.
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- The Guardian
Two men behind ‘senseless' felling of Sycamore Gap tree jailed for more than four years
Two men who carried out a 'moronic mission' to fell one of the most loved and photographed trees in the UK have been jailed. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were each given prison sentences of four years and three months for an act of criminal damage that caused the Sycamore Gap tree to crash down on to Hadrian's wall in Northumberland on a stormy September night in 2023. The attack, using a chainsaw in the middle of the night, was met with sadness, disbelief and anger that rippled around the world. Sentencing the men at Newcastle crown court, Mrs Justice Lambert said the motive remained unclear but she rejected a claim by Carruthers that he was drunk. The judge said Carruthers cut down the tree with a chainsaw while Graham filmed him, suggesting that 'sheer bravado' and 'some sort of thrill' were likely factors. The sycamore was probably planted in the late 19th century and in recent decades the site was known as a beauty spot where people went to picnic, celebrate birthdays, propose marriage, spread ashes or just take photos. Graham, from Carlisle, and Carruthers, from Wigton, were found guilty in May of the criminal damage of the tree and the wall beside it, a Unesco world heritage site. They had denied the offence even though there was evidence that Graham's car had been used to drive to the beauty spot with a chainsaw in the boot. During an eight-day trial, the jury watched footage from Graham's phone of the tree being felled and heard messages between the pair that the prosecution said showed them revelling in the infamy. The prosecutor, Richard Wright KC, said during the trial that the crime was a 'moronic mission' and the 'arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery', and that the two men showed a 'basic lack of decency and courage to own up to what they did'. At the sentencing on Tuesday, the court heard a victim impact statement from Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust of the Sycamore Gap site. Read by a barrister, the statement described the public response to the felling as 'unprecedented', adding that 'an overwhelming sense of loss and confusion' had been felt around the world. 'The question was why anyone would do this to such a beautiful tree in such a special place. It was beyond comprehension,' he said. 'This iconic tree can never be replaced. It belonged to the people. It was a totemic symbol.' Carruthers' barrister, Andrew Gurney, said his client would have to 'bear the burden of what he had done for the rest of his life'. 'He is a man of previous good character,' Gurney said. 'That is gone. He will forever be linked to this act. He will have to carry this as some form of personal penance.' Gurney acknowledged people wanted to know why the tree had been felled, but said: 'Unfortunately it is no more than drunken stupidity. It is something he will regret for the rest of his life.' At the sentencing Wright urged the court to reject the idea that either man was intoxicated. 'The court can be sure they were sober and prepared to do what they did,' he said, with the felling requiring a 'high degree of planning and premeditation'. Wright added: 'This was an expedition which required significant planning in terms of taking a vehicle, driving for about 40 minutes to a car park, taking with them appropriate specialist equipment, carrying the equipment for about 20 minutes' walk in each direction. 'The felling was carried out in a deliberate, professional way.' Christopher Knox, defence barrister for Graham, said his client had been remanded in custody before the trial for 'his own sake' after attempting to take his own life. Knox described Graham, who owned a groundwork business, as a 'troubled man' who had a much more positive side to him than what was being seen in court. 'This is a man who was making a living with a decent business, a proper business,' he said. He said Graham's home had been damaged since his arrest and he had received hate mail. The judge said the felling caused widespread distress. She told them: 'You revelled in the coverage, taking pride in what you have done, knowing you were responsible for the crime so many people were talking about. 'Whether that was the sole explanation for what you did, I do not know, however I know you are both equally culpable.' Kim McGuinness, the metro mayor for north-east England, said she hoped the pair now realised the seriousness of their actions. 'I'm glad to finally see justice being done, but the sentence could never reflect the devastation we all still feel for the loss of our beloved Sycamore Gap tree,' she said. The public gallery was packed for the sentencing and included 78-year-old Sheila Hillman, who had travelled up with her husband John, 84, from Wolverhampton. Originally from Newcastle, she said she was 'incensed and heartbroken' by the felling and wanted to see justice being done. But she thought the sentences were too short and still did not understand why the pair had done it. 'There's plenty of trees in Cumbria for them to cut down.'
