Investigation starts into why tree fell on man
POLICE PROBE AFTER SERIOUSLY INJURED VICTIM WAS AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL –
A BURTON beauty spot where a tree fell on a man was cordoned off as a formal investigation begins.
The man had to be airlifted to hospital with serious injuries on Wednesday afternoon after being trapped under a “large branch” at Stapenhill Gardens.
East Staffordshire Borough Council, which owns the Stapenhill Road attraction, cordoned off the area where it happened yesterday.
When the Burton Mail visited, workmen were removing the remains of the fallen tree.
A council spokesman said: “East Staffordshire Borough Council is sorry to hear of an incident at Stapenhill Gardens.
“Our thoughts are with the injured gentlemen and his family. The area is now cordoned off and an investigation will now take place.”
Visitors at the site backed the investigation and wished the injured man a speedy recovery. Matthew Bailey, 35, who lives in Burton, said: “I heard what happened yesterday and my partner told me someone was seriously injured.
“Being trapped under a tree is very bizarre and I hope the person recovers.
“It’s not something you hear that happens every day, but if it has caused an injury to someone then it does need to be looked into.”
Another passer by, who did not want to be named, said: “I heard the workmen chopping the tree down and saw the chunks of the tree that had been dismantled.
“I wasn’t aware of why they were doing this, but based on what I know now I hope the person who is injured recovers.
“I walk through the park at least three times a week and there are plenty of trees here. I’ve never considered them a danger to me.
“This can become a serious problem and needs to be looked into to prevent it happening again.”
Staffordshirelive readers took to social media to voice their concern over the man’s injuries.
Many said they saw the aftermath of the incident and said the man was visibly in pain.
Donna Hines wrote on the Burtonlive Facebook wall: “Poor man. What a terrible shock for all concerned. Hope he makes a good recovery.”
Medics has arrived around 1pm to find fire crews already trying to get a “large branch” off the man. Once it was removed, they gave him advanced trauma care, before he was airlifted to Royal Stoke Hospital by the Midlands Air Ambulance.
Police confirmed they are now investigating how the tree fell.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said that an ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Tatenhill with two critical care paramedics on board attended the scene.
She said crews arrived to find firefighters working to release the man from beneath a large tree branch which had fallen onto him. Ambulance staff worked quickly to assess his condition and the man needed advanced trauma care at the scene.