Boys In Hospital After Tree Falls On Them

Three boys are in hospital, two with serious head injuries, after a tree fell on them in southwest London.

The trio of nine-year-olds were waiting to use the practice nets at Spencer Cricket Club in Earlsfield when the tree crashed down.

The boys, one of whom suffered leg injuries, were rushed to hospital and the club suspended all play.

The incident happened on Saturday after strong winds buffeted parts of south London.

Monique Wilkinson, 33, was at home having a birthday party for her three-year-old daughter when she heard the tree fall.

"We could see the kids stuck under the tree and there were a lot of people around. It's terrible," she said.

"These kids play on the field every weekend.

"The air ambulance landed in the field across the road from us and there were four or five ambulances in total.

"The emergency services seemed to have everything under control.

"Another tree came down on this road earlier in the day which shows how bad the winds were."

A statement from the club said the boys' conditions were being assessed.

"Naturally, the club's thoughts are with those young ones and their families," the club said in the statement.

"As soon as we have had word from the hospital and the parents we shall be issuing another statement.

"In the meantime, all cricket at the ground has been suspended."

The uprooted tree remained lying across the cricket pitch on Saturday night.

A man and his son told reporters as they passed the scene that they knew one of the boys but were too distraught to speak about the incident.