Trust Cleared After Essex Schoolboy Dies

The High Court has ruled the National Trust was not to blame for a tragedy in which an Essex child died and three others were injured.

11 year old Daniel Mullinger died instantly when a branch fell on him at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk.

He was on a school trip with Heathlands Church of England Primary School in West Bergholt at the time.

3 of his friends were also injured.

One of them, Harry Bowen, now uses a wheelchair although he can walk short distances with sticks.

Earlier families of the children lost their damages action against the National Trust.

A High Court judge rejected the claim that the Trust's tree inspectors failed to exercise reasonable care in their task.

''I regretfully conclude that I cannot find that the defendant was negligent or in breach of its duty in respect of this tragedy.''