FRIENDS of a 12-year-old girl crushed to death by a falling tree screamed for help in a desperate bid to save her life.
The youngster, named locally as Brooke, was walking with pals on a quiet footpath in Banstead, South London, when she was knocked down by heavy branches on Saturday at 4pm.
Witnesses told how the teen was “already gone” by the time a dozen residents from a traveller estate bravely attempted to shift the tree and perform CPR.
The grassy path connects Banstead’s popular Lavender Fields Farm with Coulsdon, two miles away.
It is believed Brooke spent between 90 minutes and two hours stuck underneath the branches before her body could be extricated using specialist equipment.
One local told The Sun: “Moments before I saw them walking down the path, and then I heard screams.
“One of her friends shouted, ‘My friend has been crushed. Please help me’.
“I feel very sad, but I couldn’t save her. I knew she’d already gone.”
Another said: “There really was nothing anyone could do but try and provide some comfort to the kids who witnessed it.”
The footpath remains closed today as cops continued to collect evidence of how the tragedy unfolded within seconds.
Tributes flooded in to the youngster online, with her cousin writing: “You don’t deserve this. You had your whole life ahead of you.
“You were one of a kind and you would never hurt a soul.”
Another added: “I love you so much, you will never be forgotten, you will always be my best friend.
“I can’t believe you’re gone, I will miss you forever. I’m so sorry I didn’t come see you sooner. I love you girl.”
And another post said: “This girl had a heart of gold, she didn’t deserve half the stuff she went through.”
In a statement, London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pat Goldbourne said: “Despite the effort of emergency service personnel in attendance, the child was declared dead at the scene.
“The thoughts of our crews and staff across the entire Brigade are with the child’s family at this difficult time.”
The Met Police confirmed it would investigate the death though said it was not believed to be suspicious.
The force will also prepare a file for the Coroner.
Earlier this year Cheshire East Council was fined £500,000 after failing to chop down a 134ft lime tree which later collapsed and killed dog walker Chris Hall, 48.
Louis WoodThe scene in Banstead on the outskirts of south London[/caption]
Louis WoodA police car at the scene this morning[/caption]