Boy, 11, crushed by falling tree while sheltering from rain on school trip

An 11-year-old boy was crushed by a tree branch while sheltering from the rain on a school trip, an inquest heard today.

Daniel Mullinger  was taking part in an orienteering exercise at the National Trust's Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer, Norfolk.

The inquest into his death, being held in Norwich and expected to last three days, heard Daniel was killed and three other pupils injured in the incident in June last year.

Gemma Williams, who investigated the incident for Norfolk County Council, said the tree was classified as being of  'medium risk', meaning the National Trust was required to have it examined every two years.

She said it was last inspected six months before the tragedy, with 'no defects' found.

Daniel of Colchester, Essex, was one of 59 pupils from a primary school in West Bergholt, Essex, who were on a trip to Aylmerton Field Study Centre, close to Felbrigg Hall.

The inquest heard that they had been split into groups of about 10 to take part in an orienteering exercise through woodland and countryside.

The jury was told the tragedy happened after Daniel's group gathered under a tree.

'The children stopped to regroup and perhaps shelter from the rain,' said Ms Williams.

The 75ft (23m) branch fell from 30ft (9m) after they were told to 'run' by their teacher.

'She shouted to the children to run and then the branch fell,' said Ms Williams.

Daniel died after being struck on the head, while three other pupils were injured, the inquest heard.

One of the youngsters, who suffered pelvic and internal injuries, attended today's hearing in a wheelchair.