Westhoughton: Tree falls onto children's playground

The tree fell down at around 8.45pm yesterday, Friday, while Westhoughton Central Park appeared to be empty. There have been no reports of injuries.

A nearby resident who saw the tree after it had fallen down said he was “surprised” about what had happened, saying there was no indication that any of the trees next to the park were about to topple.

He said his neighbour's children had been playing on the basketball courts next to the Bolton Road park at the time.

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The fallen tree in Westhoughton Central Park (Image: Public)

He said: “There was nobody in the kids playing area at the time but two hours earlier it has been full."

The resident said both the police and the council arrived at the scene quickly, and that the tree has now been removed.

He continued: “I got down there, and the police were there already, they were there very quickly. I was surprised at how quickly the council were there.

“Seeing how bad the tree was on the kids’ playing area it was a good response.

The tree has now been cleared away by Bolton Council (Image: Public)

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“I’m surprised it's happened but trees have fallen down previously over the years in different parts of the park when it’s been windy.”

Arthur Price, ward councillor for Westhoughton North and Hunger Hill told the Bolton News that he attended the scene last night along with Cllr David Wilkinson, councillor for Westhoughton South.

He said that Bolton Council have now removed the tree which fell down due to being rotten. He confirmed that other trees at the park will now be inspected for safety.