New Zealand woman killed by falling tree branch at Kew Gardens (From This Is Local London)

New Zealand woman killed by falling tree branch at Kew Gardens

9:44am Monday 24th September 2012 in News

Kew Gardens: A woman in her 30s died at Kew Gardens yesterday

A woman was killed by a falling branch in Kew Gardens yesterday during winds approaching 30mph.

The woman, who is believed to have been in her early 30s and from New Zealand, was walking through the gardens at about 2pm when the freak accident happened. Onlookers and paramedics made desparate attempts to revive the woman but she could not be saved.

Kew Gardens is currently closed as a precaution following severe weather warnings.

The Met Office has predicted heavy rain and winds gusting up to 50-55mph for London and the south-east.

A spokesman from Kew Gardens press office said: “We are currently working with police and next of kin are being informed. We cannot comment further at this stage but our deepest sympathy is with family and friends.”

A witness who was walking in the gardens described hearing loud cracking noises before seeing a branch more than a foot thick on the ground and the woman unconscious beside it.

London Ambulance Service (LAS) were called at about 2.05pm to reports that a large tree branch had fallen on a woman.

An LAS spokesman said: “We sent an ambulance crew, three responders in cars, an officer and London’s air ambulance. Extensive efforts were made to resuscitate the patient, but sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Scotland Yard has said it was not yet clear whether the incident would be referred to the Health and Safety Executive.