A “LOVING” 12-year-old girl died after she was hit by a falling tree branch while playing on a rope swing, an inquest heard.
Brooke Wiggins was killed just days before her 13th birthday after the impact of the branch caused a fatal injury.
Brooke Wiggins was hit and killed by a tree branch while playing on a rope swing Credit: Facebook/ClaireEtherington
An inquest was told the swing ‘should have been removed’ Credit: Facebook/ClaireEtherington
South London Coroner’s was told the tree Brooke was swinging on in November 2024 was maintained by Surrey County Council.
It had been inspected in May 2022 and was due for re-inspection in May 2024 but this did not take place.
Christian Weaver, representing the youngster’s dad Lee Wiggins, said had the inspection been carried out, any rope swing found on the tree should have been removed “as per policy”.
But representatives for County Council said expert evidence shows an inspection may not have achieved a “material different outcome”.
Brooke’s dad told the inquest his daughter was an “amazing young woman”, who was “bright” and “very funny”.
He added: “I am devasted that my baby girl has been taken from me.
“She packed so much into her short life.
“Only 12 years old, and now she’s gone forever.
“When I think of her, I ask myself, ‘why my darling Brooke?’
“If only people had done their job properly… the one thing they are paid to do, and did it properly, Brooke would still be here.”
Brooke’s mum Claire Etherington also paid tribute to her daughter in a moving tribute read to the inquest.
She described the schoolgirl as a “beautiful, fun, caring and loving girl” who had “the most incredible way of lighting up every room she went into”.
Claire also said Brooke loved dancing, art, singing and taking photographs and “never went anywhere without her eyelashes on”.
The mum added: “She was a smart girl with so much potential.
“We will always wonder what she would have gone on to achieve in her life.”
The inquest continues.
Brooke was described as a ‘beautiful, fun, caring and loving girl’ Credit: Facebook/ClaireEtherington
She was just days from turning 13 when she was killed Credit: Facebook/ClaireEtherington
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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