Ms Higgins' husband, who ran the PR firm Carousel with his wife, told Manchester Coroner's Court he and his wife decided to go out for a quick walk at around 7pm as it was a "balmy summer evening". While he escaped with minor 'bruising and scratches', his wife 'took the full force' of the falling branch. ‌The inquest heard people came to their aid including off-duty medics but Ms Higgins died on the pavement. They had been walking with another couple who heard "loud screaming" and then saw Ms Higgins on her back under the branch, the inquest heard. The coroner noted Ms Higgins 'was clearly a much-loved wife, daughter, sister and I'm sure a dearly loved colleague and friend of many'.

Source: Daily Mirror April 10, 2026 20:12 UTC