Major response after tree collapse at popular activity centre
Emergency crews were called to the PGL Marchants Hill outdoor activity centre on Tilford Road, Hindhead, at around 1.40pm on Monday after a tree came down, injuring 18 people, many of them children. One casualty sustained a serious leg injury and was flown to a London hospital, while six others were taken to Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford with less serious wounds. A further 11 individuals were assessed at the scene and discharged.
Multiple agencies attended, including crews from South Central Ambulance Service, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, alongside the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. The centre, known for supervised outdoor pursuits and widely used by schools, confirmed that an incident had occurred and said it was cooperating with authorities.
Casualty overview
| Category | Number | Destination/Status |
|---|---|---|
| Serious injury | 1 | Airlifted to London hospital (leg injury) |
| Less serious injuries | 6 | Taken to Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford |
| Assessed on scene | 11 | Treated and discharged |
| Total | 18 | — |
Centre and MPs respond
The outdoor education provider said safeguarding remains paramount and that it is in direct contact with schools and families. In a statement, the organisation added it would continue to support those affected and liaise closely with the emergency services as inquiries progress.
“A number of children were injured and are receiving medical treatment as required. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. The safety and wellbeing of the children, their teachers and our colleagues is our absolute priority. We are working closely with the schools involved and emergency services to support those affected and to ensure families receive timely information through their schools.”
Gregory Stafford, MP for Farnham and Bordon, said he had been briefed on a serious accident at the site and confirmed there were injuries but no fatalities reported. He thanked first responders for their prompt work and said local services were coordinating closely with the centre.
What parents and schools need to know
- Families have been told information will be shared through the children’s schools, and the provider says it is working to ensure updates are timely.
- Medical treatment has been provided on site and at Royal Surrey Hospital; one patient remains in specialist care in London.
- Emergency services have completed initial on-scene assessments; any further safety steps will be directed by the authorities and the operator.
At this stage, the precise circumstances of the tree’s collapse have not been set out publicly. The involvement of police, fire and ambulance teams indicates a coordinated response to a complex incident in a wooded activity setting where groups of pupils typically take part in supervised pursuits such as climbing and canoeing. Investigators will be expected to consider site conditions and any immediate safety implications for visiting groups.
Context and next steps
Marchants Hill is a longstanding residential activity centre within easy reach of the A3 and the Surrey–Hampshire border. While outdoor education operators work to national safety frameworks, incidents of this nature can trigger detailed internal reviews and liaison with regulators. The provider has said it is committed to supporting everyone affected, and local services are likely to review learning from the multi-agency operation.
Parents and carers with children attending organised stays are advised to await contact from their child’s school or group leaders, as per the operator’s arrangements, rather than calling emergency lines. InfoRadar will continue to monitor updates from Surrey Police, the NHS trust covering Royal Surrey, and the operator as further verified information is released.
