Decaying Tree Claims Life on Evening Walk

Jen Higgins, a 49-year-old PR firm founder, died on August 20, 2025, after a large branch from a decaying beech tree collapsed on her during an evening walk with her husband in Manchester. The incident happened on Barlow Moor Road near the Stanton Avenue junction.

Her husband recounted that the tree's branch fell without warning, and his wife "took the full force" of the impact. He described the wood as "diseased, rotten" and akin to "tissue paper" due to extensive fungal decay. This decay may have begun years prior when the tree was last pruned around 15 years ago.

The inquest heard that the property owner, who acquired the land in 2020, had a general survey that did not flag any tree-related problems. He had hired a tree surgeon to trim leaves about four to five months after moving in because the shade affected grass growth.

An arboricultural officer noted that the advanced decay, exacerbated by an "aggressive" fungus, would likely not have been visibly apparent before the catastrophic fall. The assistant coroner officially ruled the death as a tragic accident, emphasizing that tree owners are not typically required to inspect for such hidden decay.

Mrs. Higgins was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:40 pm, with multiple traumatic chest injuries attributed as the cause of death. Her husband sustained minor injuries. Following the incident, the remaining part of the tree was ordered to be removed, leaving only the trunk.