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Apprentice Tree Surgeon Crushed by Untrained Fall
20 Oct
Summary
- An apprentice tree surgeon died after being crushed by a tree.
- The 18-year-old was not qualified for the assisted felling technique used.
- Inquest heard tree was tied to a chipper, which is not usual practice.
An 18-year-old apprentice tree surgeon, Jonty Parkinson, tragically died on 6 September 2024, from crush injuries after a tree he was attempting to fell collapsed on him. The incident occurred on a National Trust site near Faringdon, Oxfordshire. An inquest heard that Parkinson and his colleague, Joe Bristow, used an assisted felling technique for which neither held the necessary qualifications.
The tree, measuring 1m in diameter, had its crown removed, and attempts were made to direct its fall using a chipper for support, a method deemed unusual. Bristow testified that he was advised to use this technique by a senior manager, despite lacking the required certifications. The tree fell unexpectedly in the wrong direction, tragically trapping Parkinson underneath.
Investigations were conducted by Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). While police opted not to pursue criminal prosecutions, the HSE is continuing inquiries. Since the incident, the employer, Cotswold Group, has implemented refresher training and additional assisted felling courses for its staff. Jonty Parkinson was the nephew of former footballer Gary Lineker.
