Father of 12-Year-Old Girl Killed by Falling Branch Calls for Safety Awareness After Coroner's Ruling
Dad of girl, 12, killed in rope swing horror says tragedy could've been avoided
Dailystar Co Uk
Image: Dailystar Co Uk
The father of Brooke Wiggins, a 12-year-old girl who died in Banstead, Surrey, after being struck by a falling branch from a rope swing, expressed disappointment at a coroner's ruling deeming her death accidental. He believes the tragedy could have been avoided with better safety measures and is advocating for increased public awareness about the dangers of rope swings.
- 01Brooke Wiggins died on November 9, 2024, after a branch fell while she was playing on a rope swing.
- 02The coroner ruled her death as accidental, citing no foreseeable risk.
- 03Brooke's father criticized Surrey County Council's tree inspection processes as inadequate.
- 04He is campaigning for greater public awareness about the dangers of rope swings.
- 05Surrey County Council has pledged to enhance safety measures and awareness.
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Brooke Wiggins, a 12-year-old girl from Banstead, Surrey, tragically lost her life on November 9, 2024, when a branch fell from a tree while she was playing on a rope swing. The South London Coroner's Court ruled her death an accident, stating that Surrey County Council had reasonable systems in place for tree safety inspections. However, Brooke's father, Lee Wiggins, expressed his belief that the tragedy was avoidable and criticized the council for not fulfilling its duty to ensure public safety. He noted that the tree had been assessed in May 2022, but a follow-up inspection scheduled for May 2024 did not occur due to prioritization of other inspections. Mr. Wiggins is now advocating for a public awareness campaign about the risks associated with rope swings, fearing that the opportunity to prevent similar tragedies may be lost. Surrey County Council has been approached for comment regarding the incident and the father's concerns.
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The incident highlights the need for improved safety measures regarding recreational equipment like rope swings, potentially affecting local families and communities.
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