An inquest revealed a recommendation to remove ivy from a tree was not acted upon before it broke, leading to the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl named Brooke Wiggins in Banstead, Surrey, just days before her 13th birthday in November 2024. Council workers did not carry out the necessary ivy removal, despite prior advice. Brooke fell from a rope swing attached to a large branch of the tree, which unexpectedly gave way and fatally crushed her.
The tree, under the care of Surrey County Council, had been assessed in May 2022, with a suggestion to clear ivy for closer inspection. A follow-up inspection slated for May 2024 did not occur, as disclosed at the South London Coroner’s Court hearing.
Council representative Katherine McDonald stated that the ivy removal work had a priority rating mandating completion within a year of assessment. However, there was no concrete plan in place for execution, although guidance from a tree surgeon had been received.
McDonald emphasized the council’s need to prioritize tasks based on value for residents, given the vast number of trees they manage. She mentioned the standard practice of removing rope swings promptly and considering warning notices in areas with multiple swings.
Regarding the accident site, McDonald clarified that no signs had been placed post-incident, indicating that swings typically prompt specific tree signage. The council educates the public about swing dangers mainly through school advice, and a special group was formed following the incident to decide the tree’s fate.
Consultation with the local community was deemed inappropriate by the group, out of sensitivity, and Brooke’s family was not invited to participate for similar reasons. Post-tragedy, the council opted to reduce the tree to a trunk, despite its health, as a symbolic gesture in response to the event.