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Tragic Accident: Falling Branch Fatal to Woman
10 Apr
Summary
- A woman died instantly after a tree branch crushed her.
- The tree branch was rotting due to fungal decay.
- The widower was walking beside his wife during the incident.
A devastating accident on August 30, 2025, in Manchester resulted in the tragic death of 49-year-old Jen Higgins. She was walking with her husband, Gawen Higgins, when a large beech tree branch fell, fatally crushing her. Mr. Higgins, who sustained minor injuries, described the suddenness of the event, stating they had no time to escape the falling branch.
An inquest heard that the branch originated from a tree on privately owned land and had been suffering from extensive fungal decay. A senior tree surgeon confirmed the decay was internal and not visible before the branch's catastrophic failure. This aggressive fungus had been growing within the tree for years.
The landowner expressed his condolences and stated that a property survey in 2020 did not indicate any issues with the trees. He had commissioned trimming work a few months after purchasing the house, but it was not completed due to uncertainty about tree preservation orders.
Coroner Jessica Swift declared the incident a "tragic and devastating accident." Jen Higgins is remembered by her husband as a successful businesswoman who enjoyed yoga, travel, and walking.
