Up to 50 people tried to lift the tree when it trapped five children underneath it, witnesses told the BBC, including some from nearby Westcliff Cricket Club. They were swiftly joined by first responders from all emergency services. On Monday, police, fire and ambulance service and Southend-on-Sea City Council representatives laid flowers and paid their respects at the park. Assistant Chief Constable Lucy Morris said: "To lose a child in any circumstance is unthinkable, to lose a child in this terrible way defies all belief. "Everyone – from my officers and staff, to ambulance, fire and council colleagues, to the public of Southend and across the country – is struggling to come to terms with what happened. "We are all hoping for a positive outcome in relation to the little girl who remains in hospital." A full and independent police investigation was under way, she added. The park, west of the city centre, is managed by the council. It believed the tree was about 350 years old and inspections of it had taken place on Monday.