Brooke Wiggins died in a tragic incident on a rope swing that saw a tree branch snap
A 12‑year‑old girl died just days before her birthday after a rope swing that “should have been removed” months earlier was left hanging from a Surrey tree, an inquest has heard.
Brooke Wiggins was described as a “beautiful, fun, caring and loving girl” at a hearing held at South London Coroner’s Court on Wednesday (April 22). She had died after the impact of the branch caused a fatal injury.
Brooke had been swinging from a tree, maintained by Surrey County Council, the inquest was told, which had been inspected in May 2022 and was due for re-inspection in May 2024 – but this did not take place.
Christian Weaver, representing Brooke’s father, Lee Wiggins, explained how, if the inspection had been carried out, any rope swing found on the tree should have been removed, “as per policy”.
A delegation representing Surrey County Council argued that even if the planned inspection had gone ahead, evidence suggests it may not have achieved a “material different outcome”.
In a statement read by assistant coroner Ivor Collett on behalf of Brooke’s mother, Claire Etherington, she was described as a “beautiful, fun, caring and loving girl” who had “the most incredible way of lighting up every room she went into”.
“She was always surrounded by the people who loved her, and it’s easy to see why – she gave so much love back,” her mother said. “Brooke loved dancing, art, singing and taking photographs. She took pride in expressing herself, and “never went anywhere without her eyelashes on”, she said.
“She was a smart girl with so much potential. We will always wonder what she would have gone on to achieve in her life,” Ms Etherington said. She added that she hopes knowing what happened to Brooke will bring “a small sense of closure” and “some understanding”.
In a second statement read by Mr Collett, Brooke’s father told the inquest his daughter was an “amazing young woman”, who was “bright” and “very funny”.
“I am devastated that my baby girl has been taken from me. She packed so much into her short life,” he said.
“Only 12 years old, and now she’s gone forever. When I think of her, I ask myself, ‘why my darling Brooke?’ If only people had done their job properly… the one thing they are paid to do, and did it properly, Brooke would still be here,” Mr Wiggins added.
Speaking at the start of the hearing, Mr Collett said: “This is a particularly sad inquest. Of course, there are no happy inquests, but this is dreadful because it concerns the death of a young child and there’s no escaping that.
“To the family, I am bound to sound, at times, rather cold and distant… (but) I do not take away for a moment the unending pain felt by the family by the loss of their beloved daughter.” The inquest continues.
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