A 12-year-old girl died after a tree branch fell on her at a Surrey playground in November 2024, despite emergency efforts.

A 12-year-old girl, Brooke Wiggins, died after a tree branch broke while she was swinging at a Surrey playground on November 9, 2024, trapping her for up to two hours. Emergency crews took 90 minutes to free her using specialized equipment, but she succumbed to severe crush injuries. The tree, on land maintained by Surrey County Council, was under investigation, with experts recommending its removal, though work is pending. The inquest highlighted concerns over public playground safety and tree maintenance, with no fault attributed to the children. A full inquest is scheduled for next year.