30 June 2025, 16:19

By Johnny Jenkins

Chalkwell Park, in Southend, has always been a place for families. A place for picnics, playgrounds, and kids being kids.

I grew up in nearby Leigh-on-Sea, just 10 minutes away. We spent long summer days there – climbing trees, riding scooters, or hanging out by the skate park.

But this weekend, the park made headlines for the worst possible reason.

A seven-year-old girl was crushed to death by a falling tree. Several other children were injured. Dozens of locals ran to help.

When I heard which tree it was, I wasn’t surprised.

It was the cedar tree -........

© LBC