TRIBUTES have been paid to a “much-loved wife and mum” who died after she was struck by a tree branch in a Weston-super-Mare park.
On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Carol Spearing, a florist who used to have a shop in Weston town centre, went to Ashcombe Park with her beloved dog Barney to meet up with her fellow dog walkers as part of her daily routine, around 10.20am and 10.30am.
Whilst on a public footpath in Ashcombe Park, Carol was struck to the ground by a large tree branch falling from a height that had separated from the main tree.
This required the attendance of Avon Fire and Rescue Service to brace and support the tree branch while they used cutting equipment to gain access to her.
High winds hit the area two days before on Monday, June 3.
The incident was attended by AFRS, SWAST, police, and air ambulance.
(Image: Contributed)
Carol was stabilised at the scene by the critical care doctor flying with Great Western Air Ambulance charity and flown to Southmead Hospital.
Carol suffered skull fractures causing two bleeds and clots on both the left and right side of the brain requiring surgery to relieve the pressure.
She also suffered a fractured right femur, a fractured left tibia and fibula, fractured ribs, cuts, contusions, and abrasions.
Carol spent the next 25 days in intensive care following an extensive period of surgery.
She was making slow but steady progress in recovery, however, due to certain complications and after a brave fight in ICU on life support, she succumbed to her injuries, passing away on Sunday, June 30, 2024, a few hours before her 76th birthday.
A message from Carol’s son, Sean Spearing, read: “Carol’s passion was floristry, she has supported and touched the hearts of so many within the community of Weston-super-Mare through her business, whether it was births, deaths, marriages, or a variety of special occasions and events.
“Carol was a well-respected businesswoman and pillar of the community, to many of you within the community of Weston-super-Mare she was ‘Carol’s Flowers’ the florist on the High Street where she ran her floristry business for many years until retirement.
“To us, she was a much-loved wife, mother, nan, and most recently a great-grandmother.
“Carol will be truly missed by all who knew her, but especially by us her family.”
Many of Carol's friends and fellow Dog Walkers have been raising questions with the council to establish a permanent memorial tribute to Carol in Ashcombe Park where she spent most of her life.
Mr Spearing also said: “As a family, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all the emergency services that attended to mum on the day, and to those at Southmead Hospital who gave their all in caring for her, we cannot commend enough their swift actions, and especially those actions of the Critical Care Doctor and Great Western Air Ambulance.”
Carol's funeral will take place on Tuesday, July 30 2024 at 12.30pm Weston Crematorium, Ebdon Road, Worle, BS22 9NY.
For those who knew Carol and wish to attend, the family asks that casual clothing be worn with bright colors as this is a celebration of Carol’s life.
Family flowers only and donations are received in Carol's memory for Great Western Air Ambulance Charity via a collection on the day or via the following link https://carolspearing.muchloved.com/
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