Safety investigation into boy's falling tree death

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation after a boy was killed by a falling tree.

Brodan Dubickas, 15, died while he was playing in a park with friends off Holmcroft Road in Stafford on Saturday evening.

His family said their lives had been "shattered" by his death and described him as a wonderful brother to his three siblings and who "lit up a room".

In a statement to the BBC on Wednesday, a HSE spokesperson confirmed it was investigating the incident alongside Staffordshire Police.

Stafford Borough Council said it was assisting with the investigation and would not comment further while it was ongoing.

"Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones in what must be the most terrible time for them," a spokesperson added.

Brodan's family said he played pool at least four nights a week for the Luck Penny or Staffordshire Bull A teams and played football for Stafford Falcons.

In a tribute, Grassroots Football UK said he had been refereeing a game earlier that day, which was something he did "so often with dedication, enthusiasm and a smile that lit up the pitch".

"He was a lovely young man with a bright future ahead of him and a valued part of our grassroots football community," the group said on social media.

Brodan's former school Tillington Manor Primary School previously described him as "a special young man" who was "kind-hearted, respectful and full of warmth".

Although he had moved on to Sir Graham Balfour School, he would "always remain a valued part of our school family" and the primary school said it planned to honour him in the future.

Meanwhile, a number of floral tributes and messages have been left in the park, close to where the incident happened.

One resident at the site, who did not wish to be named, told BBC Radio Stoke: "As a community, everyone is really saddened. I think it has overshadowed everything.

"You just can't come to terms with it or comprehend the enormity of it. It's just the saddest time. When it's local, it touches you even more and makes it worse."

Another resident said it was an "awful tragedy".

"Everybody is going to be shocked," he added. "I was shocked, more so when a kid of 15 loses his life in that way."

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