WORKERS were busy making safe a tree in Leamington’s Victoria Park after three people had a lucky escape when a large branch snapped off during a bowls competition.
The branch came down and landed on a green during the Bowls England Para Pairs Competition on Sunday.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews treated a woman for injuries not believed to be serious before taking her to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
Two other people were checked over at the scene by medics before being discharged.
Competition organisers Bowls England, in a statement, said: “Three competitors were attended to on the scene by medical professionals, with one being taken to hospital for further treatment. We are in communication with those affected.
“The safety of our events is priority, and we are liaising with Warwick District Council on the incident and next steps.
“We understand how distressing this was for those at the event, and we are thinking of all those affected. We would like to thank the emergency services for their response, and all involved for their support in managing the difficult situation.
“The Para Pairs competition, which was a qualifying event for the National Bowls Finals, was abandoned in the later stages. We will work on plans for qualification in due course and reach out to all participants once confirmed.”
Warwick District Council looks after trees in the park.
A spokesman said: “The safety of the venue is of the utmost importance to the council, so the affected bowling greens are currently out of use and the Para Bowls competition temporarily paused. The path around the greens, by the cafe has been fenced off so that Warwickshire County Council’s Forestry team can assess the damage and remove the remainder of the tree.
“The council has an annual programme of tree inspections, which covers all trees in our parks and gardens and focuses on areas of high footfall. It is expected that the damage and the remainder of this tree will be cleared away in a few days, with some chainsaw noise and dust in the air, after which time Bowls England will review resuming the Para Bowls competition.”
