Inquest of childs death in Mile End Park begins

The inquest opens today into the tragic death of a five-year-old child in a children’s playground in Tower Hamlets Mile End Park.

Alexia Walenkaki suffered severe injuries when a tree with a rope swing attached collapsed on her July last year in Mile End Park. Alexia died in hospital less than two hours later, just a day before her sixth birthday.

A pre-inquest review at St Pancras coroner’s court earlier this year heard that police were investigating and manslaughter charges may be brought against Tower Hamlets council.

Ms Kwotuah, 43, said: “I feel very angry and cheated. I’m angry that the log wasn’t checked for quite some time. If it wasn’t for those lapses by the council, Alexia would still be here.”

She told Standard that the person responsible for looking after the park had been sacked and their replacement had gone on maternity leave, which meant routine checks were not made.

The inquest is expected to last four days.