A seven-year old girl has been killed and another child is fighting for her life after a large tree fell in a popular park this afternoon.
Three other children were also hospitalised with minor injuries.
Essex Police scrambled to the scene just before 3pm and asked the public to avoid the area.
The kids were hurt while in Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea.
A six-year-old girl, who was also caught under the tree as it fell, is fighting for her life while in critical condition in hospital.
An eyewitness said a “massive branch” fell off a tree, which is believed to be one of the oldest in the park, near the rose garden.
Locals who had flocked to the popular park in the sunny weather rushed to help the children.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “A child has sadly died and another is in a critical condition in hospital following an incident at a park in Southend.
“Shortly before 3pm on Saturday, June 28, it was reported a tree had partially collapsed In Chalkwell Park.
“A number of children were caught beneath the tree and suffered injuries.
“The park was busy with members of the public and many immediately went to their aid.”
Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett of Essex Police added: “Families are facing unimaginable hardship this evening and all of our thoughts are with them at this time.
“I cannot begin to put into words how difficult today’s events have been, and continue to be, for them.
“It’s also not lost on me how traumatic it must have been for the members of the public who witnessed this awful incident.”
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson told the BBC: “Two children were transported by road to Southend University Hospital.
“A further three children were later transported by road to the same hospital with minor injuries.”
“Six ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, the London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.”
