Local council is being prosecuted after death of father, 48, killed by falling 134ft lime tree while out walking his dog
- His family paid loving tributes, describing him as an ‘exceptional human being’
A council is being prosecuted for alleged health and safety breaches following the death of a 48-year-old father who was killed by a falling tree while walking his dog.
Chris Hall was exercising his working cocker spaniel Benson on their regular walking route in a park in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in August 2020 when he was fatally injured by the 40-metre-high lime tree.
Paying tribute to the father-of-one, a regional manager for a software company, his family described him as an “exceptional human being” with an “excellent work ethic and the ability to make anyone laugh and light up a room.”
“No words can ever express how much he was loved,” his widow Fiona, 55, added.
Chris Hall (pictured) was walking his cocker spaniel Benson in a park in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in August 2020 when he was fatally injured by a lime tree. (Chris pictured on holiday in Thailand)
Since his death, his widow and son Sam, 25, have raised almost £10,000 for children’s charities. (Pictured: Fiona, Sam and Chris at Sam’s 21st birthday)
Now the Health and Safety Executive has announced it is taking action against both Cheshire East Council and ANSA Environmental Services Ltd, a company owned by the authority.
Passersby raised the alarm after discovering Mr Hall had been hit by a tree at a beautiful spot called the Carrs on August 28, 2020.
But despite the efforts of emergency services, he died shortly afterwards.
Since his death, his widow and son Sam, 25, have raised almost £10,000 for children’s charities and erected a sculpture in his memory in the park where he died.
Cheshire East Council is accused of contravening section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and ANSA Environmental Services Limited is accused of contravening sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the same legislation.
A spokesperson for the authority said: ‘While the legal process continues, our thoughts and deepest condolences remain with Mr Hall’s family.
“As this matter is subject to legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
No date has yet been set for when legal proceedings will begin.
