BBC News, Essex
BBC News, Essex
Hundreds of bunches of flowers and other tributes have been left in a park after a tree collapsed and killed a seven-year-old girl.
A second girl, six, remains in a critical condition after the incident in Chalkwell Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on Saturday afternoon.
Part of the park remains cordoned off so emergency services can investigate what happened.
Stephen Goodsell, who lives nearby, said residents felt “absolute numbness, deep shock and sadness”.
Up to 50 people tried to lift the tree when it trapped five children shortly before 15:00 BST, witnesses told the BBC.
Three of those youngsters were treated for minor injuries at hospital.
Assistant chief constable Lucy Morris said the six-year-old girl was receiving “around-the-clock care”, surrounded by her family.
Mr Goodsell, 67, described it as an “absolute tragedy” while placing a teddy bear at the park in tribute on Sunday.
“As a father and a grandfather, you ache for the parents of the children involved,” he said.
“I’ve not been able to sleep since hearing the news.
“This is just a tiny gesture to show the love we feel for the children, the family and everyone that’s suffering, because we’re suffering too.”
Specialist officers have been supporting the families of those affected, while a dedicated contact portal was set up by police to enable witnesses to come forward.
Bev Noakes, who was among those placing flowers nearby, said: “There’s lots of people who witnessed it, young children who witnessed it and it must be awful.”
Steve Ives, from Leigh-on-Sea, said he was alerted to the incident by his son, who texted him saying something “awful” had happened.
The tree had been held up by metal props for many years, the 68-year-old claimed.
Players from Westcliff Cricket Club were some of the first to rush over and attempt to lift the tree after it fell.
They were praised for their courage, as well as families who tried to free the children.
David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, added: “For somebody so young to lose their life in such a tragic situation is really heartbreaking.
“Both myself and the rest of the community here in Southend are devastated.”
The park, based west of the city centre, is run by Southend-on-Sea City Council.
Labour leader Daniel Cowan said: “This was a traumatic event for those involved, those who witnessed the incident and the emergency services.
“I encourage those affected to seek support.”
