A tragic incident in West Didsbury, Manchester, claimed the life of a 49-year-old woman after she was struck by a falling tree branch while out for an evening stroll with her husband. Jennifer Higgins, the founder of a public relations firm, died on 30th August 2025 after suffering severe injuries caused by the branch.
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Gawen Higgins, Jen’s husband, recounted his harrowing experience during a recent inquest at Manchester Coroner’s Court. He stated that the couple, accompanied by friends, had “no time to take evasive action” before the branch suddenly fell. Gawen himself sustained injuries during the incident and was left in profound shock as he witnessed the immediate aftermath, where his wife lay unresponsive on the pavement.
Despite the best efforts of an off-duty nurse who attempted to revive Jen before emergency services arrived, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Gawen described the chaotic moments following the accident, recalling “a lot of diseased, rotten wood” from the tree that had been at the centre of the tragedy.
According to court proceedings, the beech tree involved had not received adequate maintenance for a period of between 15 to 20 years. A tree surgeon later described the wood as so decayed that it resembled “almost like tissue paper.” This rot had been caused by a particularly aggressive fungus that attacked living tissue, making it difficult to detect prior to the branch’s failure.
Noel Nugent, a senior tree surgeon who provided evidence, stated that the decay which led to the incident would not have been visible without closer inspection. He emphasised the need for regular maintenance of trees, particularly those in public or accessible spaces, as the failure to do so poses a real risk to the public.
The property owner, Karim Manssour-Dahbi, had bought the property in 2020. During his testimony, he revealed that a general survey conducted on the trees had not indicated any issues, including the tree that ultimately resulted in the tragic event. However, an effort to prune the trees was halted after he was informed by a tree surgeon that they might be located within a conservation area, thus complicating maintenance efforts.
Nugent further noted that property owners have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of trees on their land, adding that “a duty of care” existed in this instance. The coroner, Jennifer Swift, expressed condolences to the Higgins family, labelling the incident as a “tragic, devastating accident.”
The implications of this incident highlight the essential need for regular inspections and maintenance of potentially hazardous trees. Despite recommendations to tend to the beech tree, the failure to act on this crucial advice resulted in a loss that could have potentially been prevented.
As the community continues to mourn the unexpected loss of Jen Higgins, her husband and family remain firm in their resolve to find closure and ensure that such tragedies are not repeated in the future.