Five children hospitalised after ‘large’ tree falls on people in park – police declare ‘serious incident’

Five children have been hospitalised after a ‘large’ tree fell on people in a park, with police and the fire brigade declaring a ‘serious incident’. 

Air ambulances, paramedic crews, police and the fire brigade all rushed to Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, just before 3pm today. 

Two of the children are believed to have suffered severe injuries after the ‘large’ tree fell down in the resort town’s Westcliff-on-Sea area. 

The other three received minor injuries. 

One witness described it as ‘awful’ on X: ‘Will never forget the sound of the crack I heard when the tree split and fell and the screams of those poor children and people involved. 

‘Feeling rather upset and praying they all make full recoveries.’  

Emergency services – including six ambulances, nine ambulance officer vehicles and air crews from London and Kent – are still on the scene. 

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has also deployed its Urban Search and Rescue team, which specialises in freeing people trapped under collapsed structures. 

Air ambulances, paramedic crews, police and the fire brigade all rushed to Chalkwell Park (pictured, file photo) in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, just before 3pm today

Two of the children are understood to have suffered severe injuries. Pictured: File photo of Chalkwell Park 

An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park in Southend’. Pictured: File photo of the park 

There have been ‘a number of casualties’, with further updates to come from Essex Police. People are asked to avoid the area if they can as officers’ work continues. 

David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, dubbed the incident ‘worrying’ in a post on X. 

The Labour MP wrote: ‘I’m awaiting further details. In the meantime, please avoid speculation until full details are released. My thoughts are with those affected.’

It is understood the incident happened near the park’s rose garden as well as the manor house Chalkwell Hall, which sits within its grounds. 

One witness said ‘a massive branch of the tree snapped off’ the tree, according to Your Southend: ‘It looks really serious there.’ 

Another reported people were being advised to leave the park.

Rachel Wood, whose partner was in the park when the tree fell, said: ‘My partner and his friends rushed to help immediately when the tree fell, along with many others in the park. 

‘My thoughts and prayers are with the family and children involved. It’s a really horrific incident.’ 

An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park in Southend’. Pictured: File photo 

People on social media wrote of their distress at the incident: ‘Very sad what happened.’; 

‘Thoughts and prayers to anyone who is involved in this awful incident at our local Chalkwell Park.’ ; 

‘Really heartbreaking situation, so devastating for all involved and for the city’s community. Sending prayers.’;

‘This is heartbreakingly awful. Thoughts with everyone involved.’  

An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park in Southend. 

‘Officers, alongside ambulance and fire service colleagues, are responding. We were alerted shortly before 3pm to reports of a tree falling in the park.

‘There have been a number of casualties and our work at the scene is ongoing. 

‘We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues. Updates will be issued as soon as is possible.’

An East of England Ambulance spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We were called at 2.55pm to reports that a tree had fallen in Chalkwell Park in Westcliff-on-Sea’. Pictured: File photo 

An East of England Ambulance spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We were called at 2.55pm to reports that a tree had fallen in Chalkwell Park in Westcliff-on-Sea. 

‘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 to the same hospital with minor injuries.’ 

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: ‘We are at the scene of a serious incident in Chalkwell Park working with ambulance and police colleagues.

‘We were called just before 3pm today to reports of a large fallen tree. There have been a number of casualties and our work is ongoing.

‘Our Urban Search and Rescue Team is in attendance alongside firefighters and officers.

‘We would ask the public to avoid the area while our work continues.’ 

A spokesperson for Southend County Council has said: ‘We are aware of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park and are working closely with Essex Police, the ambulance service and fire service, who remain at the scene. 

‘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 and we will provide further updates as soon as possible.’ 

MP Mr Burton-Sampson later added on X: ‘As you may be aware, it has been confirmed that a tree has fallen and there are a number of casualties. 

‘We ask the public to avoid the area and allow the emergency services to do their work.’ 

MailOnline has contacted Essex Police, London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance for comment.  

This is a breaking story – more updates to follow.