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Inquiries into school trip death Boy's death was 'freak accident'
(about 10 hours later)
An investigation is taking place into the death of an 11-year-old boy who was killed by a falling tree branch during an adventure holiday in Norfolk. The family of a boy killed by a falling tree branch on a school trip say it was a one-in-a-million chance accident.
Daniel Mullinger, from Stanway, near Colchester, Essex, died and three children suffered injuries in the incident on Tuesday at Felbrigg. Daniel Mullinger, 11, from Stanway, near Colchester, Essex, died and three children were injured in Tuesday's accident at Felbrigg, in Norfolk.
They were among nearly 60 children from Heathlands Primary School in West Bergholt near Colchester, Essex.They were among nearly 60 children from Heathlands Primary School in West Bergholt near Colchester, Essex.
Head teacher John Watts said the victim was a "fantastic little boy". Daniel's grandfather, Cliff Mullinger, 70, said he hoped the death would not stop other children going on trips.
He said: "We are devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the little boy who died and the two boys and girl injured." The pupils were on a five-day break at Aylmerton Field Study Centre in Aylmerton, Norfolk.
The accident happened in the grounds of Felbrigg Hall, a manor and estate owned by the National Trust.
It's a one in a million chance of this sort of thing happening and you can't stop it Cliff Mullinger, grandfather
Mr Mullinger said: "The branch could have fallen on absolutely anyone.
"He was really looking forward to this trip. It's a one in a million chance of this sort of thing happening and you can't stop it.
"I hate to think other children would be stopped going on trips like this because of what has happened.
"You can't blame the teachers. They must be absolutely distraught. They were there when it happened and I can't imagine how they must feel."
Mr Mullinger said the family was supporting Daniel's parents, Stephen and Wendy, both 39, and helping to look after Daniel's eight-year-old sister, Lucy.
The boy died in the grounds of Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer
An 11-year old boy is in a critical but stable condition in hospital with pelvic and internal injuries, while an 11-year-old girl is in a comfortable condition after suffering leg and arm injuries.An 11-year old boy is in a critical but stable condition in hospital with pelvic and internal injuries, while an 11-year-old girl is in a comfortable condition after suffering leg and arm injuries.
There is a great deal of shock among everyone at the authority Tracey Chapman, Essex County Council
A 10-year-old boy also suffered a wrist injury.A 10-year-old boy also suffered a wrist injury.
The remaining children on the trip have returned home.The remaining children on the trip have returned home.
They were on a five-day break at Aylmerton Field Study Centre in Aylmerton, Norfolk. Hilda Mullinger, 67, Daniel's grandmother, said the boy critically injured in the accident was Daniel's best friend.
The accident happened in the grounds of Felbrigg Hall, a manor and estate owned by the National Trust. Head teacher John Watts said: "We are devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the little boy who died and the two boys and girl injured."
Mr Watts said the school had been sending pupils to Aylmerton for the past six years. Norfolk Police and the Health and Safety Executive are carrying out investigations.
He said: "The children absolute love it. Their safety record is second to none."
Police investigations are continuing at the site
Police officers are trying to establish if weather or high winds were a factor.
A Norfolk Police spokesman said officers had been at the scene and were carrying out an investigation.
"It has been windy but we have not had widespread reports of trees falling."
Essex County Council said plans were being put into place to provide pupils with all the support they needed.
"There is a great deal of shock among everyone at the authority," said Tracey Chapman, the councillor responsible for schools at the authority.
"Our thoughts are with the families of the little boy who died and the children who have been hurt."
The Health and Safety Executive is also carrying out investigations.