Accident At Welsh Wildlife Park

27/08/2010

A mother and child have been seriously injured after a tree fell on them at a wildlife park owned by television presenter Anna Ryder Richardson.

The star said she was "devastated" by the accident which happened at the Manor House Leisure Park near Tenby, Pembrokeshire.

The woman and her three-year-old son were flown to Morriston Hospital in Swansea following the incident.

Both suffered serious head injuries with the mother also being treated for possible pelvis and leg fractures.

Richardson, an interior designer and presenter who has appeared on BBC show Changing Rooms, runs the park with her husband Colin MacDougall.

The couple released a statement which read: "We are absolutely devastated by this and our only concern is for the little boy and his mother.
"Our thoughts are with them and their family."

The accident is being jointly investigated by Dyfed Powys Police and the health and safety team of Pembrokeshire County Council.

A council spokeswoman said: "The incident occurred at approximately 11.30 this morning at Manor House Leisure Park, St Florence.

"A tree is believed to have fallen on a woman and young child and as a result both have been seriously injured.

"Fire service and ambulance crews attended the scene and the casualties were conveyed by air ambulance to Morriston Hospital, Swansea."

Copyright © Press Association 2010

Stephen Nye from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “This is a serious incident in which significant injuries have been sustained. Although relatively rare, each year there are a number of instances where people are seriously injured or killed by falling trees or falling branches.

“Often injuries or accidents occur when trees fall onto roads or pavements. It of course remains to be seen why this particular tree fell when it did. Generally speaking the owner of the land where the tree is situated owes a duty to visitors to the property to make sure that they are safe when visiting. This duty can include a duty to maintain and inspect trees on the land. The extent of that duty will depend on the number of trees on the land and the use of the land."