The husband of a Blackburn mum killed by a falling branch in Witton Park has reacted angrily to a council leader’s claim that there was nothing it could have done to prevent the tragic incident.

Cllr Phil Riley made the statement in a written report to Blackburn with Darwen Council’s full Council Forum last night as he sent the authority’s official condolences to Madia Kauser’s family.

Madia Kauser, 32, from Blackburn, was walking with her family in Witton Park last Monday evening (August ) when the branch fell on her. Despite the best efforts of emergency services Mrs Kauser, 32, from Blackburn sadly died at the scene | Lancashire Police

placeholder image — Madia Kauser, 32, from Blackburn, was walking with her family in Witton Park last Monday evening (August ) when the branch fell on her. Despite the best efforts of emergency services Mrs Kauser, 32, from Blackburn sadly died at the scene | Lancashire Police

But Wasim Khan, the husband of the 32-year-old who died on Monday, August 11, when she was out walking with her family has objected to this comments and said the Labour politician had no right to make them while an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive and the police was going on.

Mrs Kauser was hit by the falling branch as she pushed her daughter out of the way of it.

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The beech tree which killed mum-of-two Madia Kauser in Blackburn's Witton Country Park has since been felled by the Council | Submitted

Authority leader Cllr Phil Riley begins his written report to last night’s meeting by saying: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Madia Kauser at Witton Park in August.

“Our sincerest thoughts and condolences are with her family and loved ones during what must be an incredibly difficult time.

“Following the incident, as part of precautionary measures, the tree involved was felled, and further safety checks and work have been carried out in the park and in Big Clover Wood.

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Councillor Phil Riley | Contributed

“However, we have received expert advice that there was no precautionary work that could have been carried out that would have prevented this desperately sad incident.

“Of course, the safety and well-being of all our residents is always paramount and as a council we will always work to prioritise this.”

Mr Khan said in response to his statement: "I am shocked at Cllr Riley's statement that an expert said nothing could have been done.

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Madia Kauser, 32, was killed by a falling tree branch in Blackburn's Witton Park on Monday evening (August 11) | Submitted

"The Health and Safety Executive has told me, along with a police officer that no expert has completed an investigation and there is currently a major investigation under way.

"Cllr Riley states they could do nothing but the moment her body was taken away, they sent in lumberjacks to remove the tree and any others with a risk to public safety.

"In fact, they removed any other infected trees they knew about months and months prior.

"Pictures from a resident clearly show they got to work after to make sure every infected tree was gone.

"The HSE and the police have not concluded their investigations and the council should know this and not make comments.”

The council’s Conservative leader Cllr John Slater used the Council Forum meeting to send his group’s ‘heartfelt sympathies and condolences’ to Mrs Kauser’s family.

Cllr Riley declined to comment on Mr Khan’s remarks.