The widow of a man who died after being struck by a falling tree is advocating for a new legislation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Fiona Hall is pushing for “Chris’s Law” in memory of her late husband, Chris, who lost his life at 48 while walking their dog in a park in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Despite prior knowledge of the tree’s hazard, the council failed to take action to avert the fatal incident.
At present, there is no mandatory requirement for local authorities to conduct routine tree inspections, a gap Fiona aims to address with the proposed law. She expressed that the loss of Chris was senseless and preventable, emphasizing the need for systematic tree assessments to prevent similar tragedies caused by neglected maintenance responsibilities.
Fiona, aged 56, is also advocating for a national standard to ensure consistent safety measures for all trees. She described the immense void left by Chris’s passing for her and their son, Sam, 27, highlighting his positive impact on those around him.
Chris, a software sales manager, tragically died on August 28, 2020, after being struck by a tree limb while walking their pet in Carrs Park. Despite prior alerts regarding the tree’s condition, no adequate inspection was conducted, leading to the fatal accident. The subsequent investigation revealed a lack of risk management strategies by the responsible council, resulting in a significant fine.
Fiona’s advocacy for improved tree safety follows recent tree-related fatalities in different parts of the country, underscoring the urgency for stricter regulations. A wooden sculpture now stands at the site of Chris’s accident, serving as a reminder of the need for enhanced tree maintenance.
Local MP Esther McVey is set to champion Chris’s Law in Parliament on October 15, with support from various stakeholders. The council has committed to enhancing tree management practices to ensure public safety in green spaces.
The government has refrained from commenting on the matter.
To endorse Fiona’s campaign for Chris’ Law, visit https://www.change.org/p/support-chris-s-law-ensuring-public-safety-through-mandatory-tree-maintenance