Surrey County Council Not Accountable for 12-Year-Old Brooke Wiggins Rope Swing Death

Brooke Wiggins died in November 2024 after a large tree branch snapped and fell, striking her while she was playing on a rope swing in Banstead, Surrey. The inquest heard that Surrey County Council (SCC), responsible for the tree's maintenance, had recommended ivy removal in May 2022 to "aid future inspection" but had not carried out the work. A subsequent re-inspection, scheduled for May 2024, was not conducted due to other priorities. A "crack" in the tree, not visible from the ground, was discovered after Brooke's death.

Coroner Dismisses Council Accountability

Assistant Coroner Ivor Collett concluded Brooke’s death was a "shocking accident," dismissing criticisms of SCC. He stated that the council could not have "reasonably been expected to do more to prevent what happened," citing their duties and the extensive public resources they manage, alongside the "huge number of trees" under their responsibility. Collett also stated there was "no sound evidence" that a re-inspection would have revealed the "dangerous crack or rope swing."

Lee Wiggins, Brooke's father, expressed profound heartbreak, stating, "The coroner may as well have spat in my face." Brooke’s uncle, Ryan Etherington, conveyed the family's "deep disappointment" and called for "meaningful accountability" and improved public safety measures in tree maintenance. The family's focus remains on ensuring Brooke's death instigates changes to prevent similar tragedies.

Terence Herbert, SCC's chief executive, extended "sincere condolences" to Brooke's family, noting the coroner's conclusion of a "tragic accident." Brooke, days before her 13th birthday, died from blunt force trauma to the chest with traumatic asphyxia. She was pronounced dead at the scene after two friends and two men from a nearby caravan park attempted to free her and perform CPR.