Five children have been taken to hospital after a tree fell at a park in Essex.
Police and paramedics rushed to Chalkwell Park in Southend following reports of ‘multiple casualities’ earlier this afternoon.
Two children were initially rushed to hospital, before the three others were taken a short while later.
The latter three are said to have suffered minor injuries.
Police have urged the public to avoid the area.
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The fire service was also called.
Adam Hutchins, 47, told EssexLive: ‘I heard there were kids playing on the tree. They heard a big crack. It must have pretty loud. They went running over and there were kids underneath the tree.
‘All the cricket guys ran over and tried to loft the tree up. I think it’s one of the oldest trees. It had metal stands propping it up.’
Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council Daniel Cowan said: ‘I’m aware of this very serious incident. We’re working with Essex police, the Ambulance Service and Fire Service, who are still at the scene.
‘I do understand that a tree has fallen, there’s a number of casualties and we’re just asking the public to avoid the area whilst those services carry out their work, and my thoughts are with those affected.’
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 2.55pm to reports that a tree had fallen in Chalkwell Park in Chalkwell.
‘Six ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, the London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.
‘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.’
Essex Police said: ‘We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park.
‘Officers, alongside ambulance and fire service colleagues, are responding.
‘We were alerted shortly before 3pm to reports of a tree falling in the park.
‘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.’
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