Police investigation after tree kills woman in Exeter

This was the scene of the tragic incident in which a woman was killed by a falling tree in Exeter during last night's storms.

Police were this morning due to carry out an investigation and prepare a report for the coroner.

The victim, who is said to be in her 20s died and two other people were injured when the tree came down shortly before midnight.

The woman was treated at the scene but died later in hospital.

The tragedy happened at around 11.50pm yesterday on Western Way, near to junction with Barnfield Road in the city.

The tree was reported to have landed on or near to three people, trapping the woman.

A police spokesman said the seriously injured woman was taken to hospital but was a short time later declared dead by medical staff.

The tree was described as a very large spruce which had come down across a wall into the roadway.

The spokesman added: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the deceased’s family and friends.  We are currently trying to contact the next of kin.”

Inspector Andrew Webber of Devon and Cornwall Police told Sky News that the deceased woman had been living in a small tent sheltered against a wall at the roadside.

"It was a very large tree that had been there for... many years. Obviously we've had lots of heavy weather, it's been raining an awful lot, and the tree for whatever reason came down," he said.

Police will be investigating the scene and preparing a report for the coroner in daylight.

"It's taken a wall with it when it came down, and then on top of that the tent was underneath and the tree has fallen on to the tent.

"There are two males involved with minor injuries and obviously a poor lady who received fatal injuries at the time."