A mother killed by a falling tree branch saved her daughter’s life by pushing the youngster out of the way in the split second before she was hit.
Madia Kauser, 32, was taking the little girl, five, and her older brother for an evening walk in the park when the tree fell directly towards them.
It’s understood the girl was in a pushchair which Mrs Kauser managed to push away before taking the full force of the falling branch herself – so that her daughter survived unscathed.
Her husband Wasim Khan, 33, was just yards ahead with their nine-year-old son when the branch fell but was powerless to act in time during the shocking episode on Monday night.
He rushed to her side but little could be done for his tragic wife who relatives say adored her children.
One told the Daily Mail: ‘Madia would have done anything for her children.’
The family are said to be in a state of shock after the freak accident which happened near Witton Country Park in Blackburn, Lancashire, a popular local beauty spot.
On Wednesday, Blackburn council had completely cut down what remained of the tree from which the branch fell as well as lopping off branches from several other nearby trees.
Madia Kauser, 32, was taking the little girl, five, and her older brother for an evening walk in the park when the tree fell directly towards them
The tree which the branch fell from and killed Ms Kauser has since been cut down
Trees in the area have also had numerous branches removed in a bid to avoid another incident
The mum had been walking with her husband and two children when the tragedy unfolded
The area was littered with sawdust.
The accident happened just yards from the park’s Big Cover wood where trees form the majority of the habitat.
On Wednesday relatives from all over the country were gathering at Blackburn’s Madina mosque where the family were hoping a funeral could take place sometime in the evening.
Former mayor and still sitting councillor Zamir Khan MBE, an uncle in the tight-knit family, said Madia’s body was still with the coroner.
He said: ‘Her little girl told me her mother pushed her out of the way as the branch fell.
‘Madia was a loving, doting mother and a very caring person.
‘The older boy was walking with his father in front and could not believe what happened.
‘It is very hard for the children. I do not think they will ever walk in that park again.
Mrs Kauser was described as a ‘doting mother and a very caring person’ by councillor Zamir Khan MBE
Madia saved her daughter’s life and lost her own when the branch fell from the tree
‘It is tarnished for them. Their father is not in a good way either. He and other members of the family have taken it very hard.
‘People have come from all over the country – from Sheffield, Bradford, Birmingham, London and other places – to be at her funeral which we hoped to have this afternoon in accordance with Muslim tradition.
‘But until her body is released by the coroner, we cannot move forward. We are hoping it will be released today.
‘What happened was an act of nature but it is unbelievable.’
In a statement, the council said it was ‘deeply saddened’ after the accident on Monday.
The authority’s chief executive Denise Park said: ‘Our thoughts and heartfelt condolence are with the family and friends of the person who has lost their life at this very difficult time.
‘Emergency services including paramedics and the air ambulance attended the scene. Council staff also supported by cordoning off the area to ensure public safety.
‘As part of precautionary safety measures, the tree involved was being felled this morning.
Pictured: Witton Country Park – where the tragedy unfolded
‘Witton Park is a much-loved community space, and the safety of everyone who visits is of the utmost importance to us.
‘Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the family at this very sad time.’
A Lancashire Police spokesman said the woman’s death was not being treated as suspicious and a file would be prepared for the coroner.
A cyclist who rides through the park every day said: ‘I have seen loads of fallen branches before but it is mainly because of high winds.
‘There wasn’t even a breeze when this poor woman was killed. It is utterly heartbreaking.
‘I shudder to think what her poor children and husband are going through.’
Many people walking there today were unaware of the tragedy and thought the council were carrying out unnecessary tree work.
One said: ‘I was initially cross that they had cut the tree down until someone told me what had happened. It doesn’t bear thinking about.’
Local councillor Paul Marrow said: ‘There have been concerns about ash dieback disease and the number of dead trees in Witton Park and across the borough.
‘The council needs to make regular, thorough inspections of the trees in the park to ensure they are safe.’
