A sunny afternoon in Chalkwell Park turned into chaos when a tree unexpectedly toppled, leaving two children seriously injured.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at around 3pm on Saturday. Essex Police, along with ambulance crews and the fire service, swiftly arrived at the scene in Southend.
“We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park. Officers, alongside ambulance and fire service colleagues, are responding. 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,” Essex Police confirmed in a statement.
Initial reports indicate that two young children were among those seriously injured. The BBC has corroborated this, stating that two children are believed to be the primary casualties.
Paramedics and an air ambulance were dispatched as part of the emergency response. The area was quickly cordoned off to allow rescuers to work safely.
David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, expressed concern over the developing situation.
“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.”
The exact cause of the tree collapse remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether weather conditions or structural issues contributed to the incident.
Local residents and park visitors are being urged to steer clear of the area while emergency teams complete their work. This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
