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A tragic incident occurred in November 2024 when a 12-year-old girl, Brooke Wiggins, was fatally injured by a falling tree branch while playing on a rope swing. The accident took place at Grove Place, near the junction with Carshalton Road in Banstead, Surrey, just days before Brooke was due to celebrate her 13th birthday. The swing had been attached to a tree overseen by Surrey County Council.
It was revealed during an inquest at South London Coroner’s Court in Croydon that the tree had not undergone inspection since May 2022, despite a re-inspection being scheduled for May 2024, which never happened. Brooke’s father, Lee Wiggins, represented by Christian Weaver, argued that if the council had carried out the necessary checks, the unsafe swing would have been removed according to council policy.
Conversely, Surrey County Council’s representatives stated that expert evidence suggested an inspection might not have led to any significant change that could have prevented the tragedy. The situation raises serious questions about maintenance and safety procedures for public spaces managed by local authorities.
In emotional statements read out during the inquest, Brooke’s mother, Claire Etherington, described her daughter as a “beautiful, fun, caring and loving girl” who had a remarkable ability to brighten every environment she entered. She highlighted Brooke’s talents and interests in dancing, art, singing, and photography, and expressed the family’s heartbreak over the loss of her future potential. Meanwhile, Lee Wiggins expressed his devastation and questioned whether the tragedy could have been avoided if proper actions had been taken
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