{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreihcliqr424pv5rohy6c7rxdt4si7muq2wp2xzr5x5ltivb3qk6pcm",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:b7afdzqsmwksxypciqnplglk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjaggha2rzh2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreifixyeob5qgrf5lxmfbnuan3ybeq35i6mevrh3j2s5f3qrnqt2fcy"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 128307
  },
  "path": "/2026/04/11/woman-killed-evening-walk-husband-decaying-tree-collapses-27938137/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-11T16:43:08.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "UK",
    "Death",
    "Manchester",
    "News Updates",
    "Breaking News",
    "check our news page",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "Jen Higgins was crushed by the beech tree as it toppled and fell across the road(Picture: MEN Media; Handout)\n\nA woman was hit and killed by a decaying tree while on an evening walk with her husband, an inquest has heard.\n\nJen Higgins was crushed by the beech tree as it toppled and fell across the road and onto the pavement the other side on Barlow Moor Road in West Didsbury, Manchester, last August.\n\nThe 49-year-old was walking with her husband Gawith when they heard a ‘loud crack’ as a third of the canopy fell away, which was situated in someone’s garden.\n\nGawen told Marchester Coroners’ Court: ‘We had no time to take any kind of evasive action. It was extremely sudden with no warning with no warning.’\n\nJen, who ran a PR firm, was declared dead at the scene after suffering multiple traumatic chest injuries.\n\n##  Sign up for all of the latest stories\n\nStart your day informed with Metro's **News Updates** newsletter or get **Breaking News** alerts the moment it happens.\n\nJen was described as ‘a beloved wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, and aunt’ (Picture: Handout)\n\nThe fallen branch of a birch tree on Stanton Avenue in Didsbury (Picture: UGC/MEN Media)\n\nGawen was left with bruising and scratching.\n\nThe tree had not been pruned for around 15 years, leaving it to decay with the wood ‘almost like tissue paper’.\n\nPaying tribute, Jen’s family said: ‘The family of Jen Higgins are heartbroken to confirm she lost her life in a sudden and tragic accident.\n\n‘She was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, and aunt – a vibrant and supportive friend to many; and a dynamic and widely respected member of the Manchester business community.\n\n‘You will no doubt empathise with the deep and profound shock we are feeling at this moment and ask for privacy while we grieve. A further statement will be issued when we feel able.’\n\nRecording a verdict of accidental death, assistant coroner Jennifer Swift said: ‘To me this is nothing short of a tragic, devastating accident that occurred that day.’\n\n******Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.******\n\n**For more stories like this,** check our news page.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Woman killed on evening walk with husband after decaying tree collapses"
}