Five children hospitalised after tree falls in park with two suffering 'severe injuries'
Five children have been injured, with two being treated for 'severe injuries'.
Two children have suffered serious injuries from a falling tree which hurt a further three kids in a park.
Emergency crews, which included six ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles and two helicopters, rushed to Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea this afternoon at 3pm after receiving a report that a tree had fallen in the park.
Two children were raced to Southend University Hospital with serious injuries, with three more children later being transported to the same hospital with minor injuries, reports Essex Live.
Witness to the incident, Adam Hutchins, 47, said: "I heard there were kids playing on the tree. They heard a big crack. It must have pretty loud. They went running over and there were kids underneath the tree. All the cricket guys ran over and tried to loft the tree up. I think it's one of the oldest trees. It had metal stands propping it up.
"It's normally a lot busier than this. I presume the cricket was suspended as the air ambulance landed here. It's very much a park that is busy with families."
Local councillor Lydia Hyde says that the park will be cordoned off at least until tomorrow morning by police officers.
She Cllr Hyde said: "My thoughts are with the families of those impacted by the terrible incident today at Chalkwell Park. I've spoken to Police here and the area has been in cordoned and will remain in place at least overnight, please avoid the area."
Leader of Southend Council Daniel Cowan added: 'We understand that a tree has fallen and that there are a number of casualties. We ask the public to avoid the area while emergency services carry out their work. Our thoughts are with all those affected."
The MP for Southend West and Leigh David Edmund Burton-Sampson previously asked the public not to "speculate" on the incident.
He said: "I am hearing about a worrying incident in Chalkwell Park and I'm awaiting further details. In the meantime please avoid speculation until full details are released. My thoughts are with those affected."
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said : 'We were called at 2.55pm to reports that a tree had fallen in Chalkwell Park in Chalkwell. Six ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, the London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. 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.'
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