Carol Spearing, a 75-year-old retired florist and beloved great-grandmother, lost her life after a large tree branch fell on her while she was walking her dog Barney with two friends in Ashcombe Park, Weston-super-Mare. The devastating incident occurred on the morning of June 5, 2023.
According to the Avon Coroners’ Court, the group heard a sudden loud crack as they walked along a public footpath. The branch struck Mrs. Spearing, causing severe head injuries and multiple fractures. Emergency responders, including Avon Fire and Rescue Service and South Western Ambulance Service, swiftly acted to free and stabilize her before airlifting her to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
Despite undergoing surgery, Mrs. Spearing’s condition worsened, and she passed away on June 30, 2023. The area coroner, Peter Harrowing, concluded her death was accidental during an inquest held on August 29, 2024. He noted that the tree, a Monterey cypress (macrocarpa), had been regularly inspected by North Somerset Council, with the last examination in July 2023 revealing no defects. Consequently, the coroner found no grounds to raise concerns over the council’s tree management practices.
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Mrs. Spearing was a cherished local business owner who ran Carol’s Flowers in Weston-super-Mare’s High Street for many years. She was married to her husband, Fred, for 56 years and was devoted to her two sons, Sean and Damion, as well as her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Her family described her as an active, caring, and joyful individual who enjoyed daily walks with her dog.
Witness Marcia Hobbs, who was walking with Mrs. Spearing and another friend named Susan Kershaw at the time, recalled the sudden impact and the sight of Carol trapped beneath the fallen branch. Mrs. Hobbs and Mrs. Kershaw were fortunately uninjured.
Representatives from Glendale, the council’s contracted ground maintenance company, and the Health and Safety Executive affirmed that the risk assessment procedures were adequate. The staff involved did not anticipate this tragic event due to the tree’s low-risk classification.
Following the inquest, the Spearing family expressed concerns about existing safety policies and called for improvements to prevent similar accidents. North Somerset Council has yet to respond publicly to these concerns.
Carol Spearing’s family and community continue to honor her memory. Donations in her name to the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity are welcomed.