Schoolgirl crushed by falling tree in playground

A SCHOOLGIRL was killed and several others injured when a falling tree crushed them in a primary school playground yesterday. Witnesses said heavy weather may have caused the accident at West Ashtead school in Surrey.

Police said one girl received serious injuries, another sustained head injuries and three others were slightly hurt. The incident happened at about 12.15pm at the 317-pupil primary school near Leatherhead.

Surrey Fire Service said two crews and a rescue tender had gone to the scene after reports of children trapped under the tree.