Woman killed by falling branch at Kew Gardens

A woman was killed by a falling tree branch on 23 September at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew during gusts of wind of 48km/h. The woman, a New Zealander believed to be 32 years old, was hit by the branch on Sunday afternoon. Kew Gardens was closed on Monday following severe weather warnings from the Met Office predicting heavy rain and winds gusting 50-55mph. A Kew representative said the woman was not being named as investigations were ongoing and next of kin were being informed. She added that it was standard practice to close the garden after severe weather warnings and the closure was not linked to the death. She would not say where the fatality took place in the garden. Paramedics tried to revive the woman but she was pronounced dead at the scene. A Kew Gardens statement said: "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew confirms a tragic accident at Kew Gardens when a falling tree branch resulted in a fatality. "We cannot comment further at this stage but our deepest sympathy is with family and friends."

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