Five children were hospitalised after a large tree fell on them in a park this afternoon.

Two kids are believed to have suffered severe injuries after the tree fell down in Chalkwell Park, Westcliff-on-Sea, in Southend. Three other sustained minor injuries.

Six ambulances, two air ambulances, firefighters and police officers rushed to the Essex park just before 3pm today. 

The police and the fire brigade have now declared it a ‘serious incident’. 

One man who saw the tree fall down said he would ‘never forget the sound of the crack I heard when the tree split and fell and the screams of those poor children and people involved’.

It is understood the incident happened near the park’s rose garden as well as the manor house Chalkwell Hall, which sits within its grounds. 

David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: ‘I am hearing about a worrying incident in Chalkwell Park and I’m awaiting further details. 

‘In the meantime please avoid speculation until full details are released. My thoughts are with those affected.’

He later added: ‘As you may be aware it has been confirmed that a tree has fallen and there are a number of casualties. 

‘We ask the public to avoid the area and allow the emergency services to do their work.’ 

Five children were hospitalised after a large tree fell on them in a park this afternoon

Pictured: The tree believed to be involved in the incident today 

Two kids are believed to have suffered severe injuries after the tree fell down in Chalkwell Park, Westcliff-on-Sea, in Southend. Three other sustained minor injuries

An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park in Southend. 

‘Officers, alongside ambulance and fire service colleagues, are responding. We were alerted shortly before 3pm to reports of a tree falling in the park.

‘There have been a number of casualties and our work at the scene is ongoing. 

‘We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues. Updates will be issued as soon as is possible.’

An East of England Ambulance spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We were called at 2.55pm to reports that a tree had fallen in Chalkwell Park in Westcliff-on-Sea. 

‘Six ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, the London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. 

‘Two children were transported by road to Southend University Hospital. 

‘A further three children were later transported to the same hospital with minor injuries.’ 

Six ambulances, two air ambulances, firefighters and police officers rushed to the Essex park just before 3pm today

The police and the fire brigade have now declared it a ‘serious incident’. One man who saw the tree fall down said he would ‘never forget the sound of the crack I heard when the tree split and fell and the screams of those poor children and people involved’

An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park in Southend’

They added: ‘Officers, alongside ambulance and fire service colleagues, are responding. We were alerted shortly before 3pm to reports of a tree falling in the park’

It is understood the incident happened near the park’s rose garden as well as the manor house Chalkwell Hall, which sits within its grounds 

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: ‘We are at the scene of a serious incident in Chalkwell Park working with ambulance and police colleagues.

‘We were called just before 3pm today to reports of a large fallen tree. There have been a number of casualties and our work is ongoing.

‘Our Urban Search and Rescue Team is in attendance alongside firefighters and officers.

‘We would ask the public to avoid the area while our work continues.’ 

A spokesperson for Southend County Council has said: ‘We are aware of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park and are working closely with Essex Police, the ambulance service and fire service, who remain at the scene. 

‘We understand that a tree has fallen and that there are a number of casualties. 

‘We ask the public to avoid the area while emergency services carry out their work. 

‘Our thoughts are with all those affected and we will provide further updates as soon as possible.’ 

MailOnline has contacted Essex Police, London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance for comment.  

This is a breaking story – more updates to follow.