Teenager killed by falling tree in freak accident was 'trying to earn extra pocket money'

A "kind" teenager who was killed after a tree fell on him may have been trying to earn some pocket money, a neighbour has claimed. Kamil Hubert - who was described as the 'nicest boy on the planet', left school just one day before his tragic death.

The teen had just finished his GSCEs 24 hours before the accident happened in a derelict house very near his home in Carlton-in-Lindrick, Nottinghamshire on Saturday. The 16-year-old was allegedly assisting workers who were chopping down huge overgrown trees at the boundary fence between two detached houses - one lived in, the other derelict, reports the Mirror.

One horrified local said: “Our hearts go out to the poor boy and his family. It is a very close knit community and has touched everyone whether we knew them or not. It was a tragic, freak accident and the lad stood no chance.” The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, claims Kamil had been asked if he “wanted to earn some extra pocket money” by helping to cut down some trees at a property in the residential street of Rotherham Baulk which was recently bought.

She said the lad was helping out for a "few pennies and pounds." The woman said: “The boy was standing, feet on ground, holding with all his might onto a rope supporting the trees. The labourers had climbed up with a chainsaw and started hacking off the branches.

"Suddenly part of the tree, one of the heavy branches, fell onto the boy’s head, hitting him and crushing him. He died almost instantly. It is a shocking, terrible thing to have happened.”

She added: “The boy’s family are Polish, they live nearby, and the community here are rallying around to help them. There is a mum, dad and another son.”

Another resident said: "It's heartbreaking and really sad that a young boy trying to earn a few extra pennies can die in this way. It is a very close knit community and everyone has been affected by this."

Lex Khundo, manager of the nearby Premier store and Post Office, said: “This is so very sad and is the talk of the village. We want to try and help the family at this difficult time.

“The boy used to come into the shop with his mum, very often, and he seemed a very sensible, kind and good young person. His mum was Polish, I think, and didn’t speak English much and he would come in and help translate for her."

A notice for a fundraiser for the victim’s family is displaced in his shop with the touching message “Forever 16” and “Forever missed.” Three people have been arrested in connection with the teens death.

Two adults, aged 28 and 31, were held on suspicion of manslaughter and a woman aged 28 on suspicion for assisting an offender. Heartbroken friends family have organised a balloon release on Saturday June 22 at 3pm on Pit Field in Carlton.

Mourners have left flowers, messages and cans of juice at the scene in the busy street of Rotherham Baulk. A cordon remains in place as a police investigation is underway and three suspects continue to be questioned.

"A lot of lives have been affected by this tragic news," one person wrote locally, while another said: "He was the nicest boy on the planet". A pal said: "You'll be remembered for your cheeky smile and the jokes you'd crack can't believe it was only yesterday I saw you on the way to work, forever 16."

The teen's heartbroken cousin Aleksandra Ostapczuk has launched a GoFundMe page which has so far raised £5,400 of a £10,000 towards funeral costs. Aleksandra wrote: "On 15th June, my aunt’s 16 year old son tragically died.

"He just finished his GCSEs the day prior to the incident. We are trying to help her raise money to cover the costs of the funeral for him. Kamil was a kind and loving boy who was taken away from us way too early.”

The nearby Carlton in Lindrick Social Club is also organising a fundraiser and a balloon release in the boy’s memory on Saturday afternoon in Pit Field. A manager said the family have asked for everyone attending to wear blue to celebrate his life. Kamil was a pupil, and had just finished his exams at Outward Academy Portland in Worksop.

In a statement released by the force this evening, Detective Harrison said: “This was a tragic incident and my thoughts are with the boy’s family. They have asked for privacy at this most difficult time. The family are being supported by specially-trained officers as we continue to investigate exactly what happened.

“Our inquiries remain ongoing, and we are appealing for anyone with information, including witnesses and anyone who may have captured CCTV, doorbell camera or dashcam footage, to please get in contact with us.”

Anyone with information should call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 229 of 15 June 2024. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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