Fire crews left deeply affected by collapsed tree

Fire crews and members of a nearby cricket club said they had been left "devastated" after they helped move a tree that collapsed and killed a seven-year-old girl.

Investigations have been ongoing after a tree fell on five children at Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea shortly before 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Members from Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket Club were some of the first people on the scene to lift the large branch that had cracked to the ground.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service's area manager Craig McLellan said: "They are deeply affected, they are humans the same as anyone else and they just want to do all they can to help."

The children were taken to hospital, three had minor injuries and a six-year-old remains in a critical condition. The seven-year-old died in hospital.

Mr McLellan said: "What unfolded was a tragic event affecting so many friends and families.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to all of those involved and they [fire crew] are choked; they are just trying to do what they can."

He said the crew returned on Monday morning to pay their respects.

"They are struggling and that's why they have come up today," he said.

"They are devastated."

Since the incident, the community has been leaving flowers and teddy bears near the tree to show their respects.

Tom Clark, safeguarding officer, said: "It was just a normal Saturday until we heard the horrendous noise of the tree cracking and then the screams that followed." .

A match had been in progress and he said the players "were first on the scene, within seconds".

"Anybody in the park did everything they could and that's all you can ask of people," he said.

"They really showed the community spirit in the area.

"It was very clear to everybody that it was extremely serious.

"It took between 50-60 people to move the huge branch that had cracked.

"By this time, the emergency services were at the scene."

Mr Clark said that some club members had been left too traumatised to talk about what happened.

"It's just devastating and so many of our players involved have children around the same age," he said.

"It happened just behind our net, where all of our youth team members play on a Saturday afternoon.

"The poor little girl who has lost her life... the thoughts and condolences from everyone at our cricket club are with her and her family."

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