A MAN who witnessed his wife being crushed by a tree during a family break to Dorset has paid tribute to her.

Devoted grandmother Pamela Hudson, 57, was killed in front of her family when she was hit by the falling tree during a freak storm near Corfe Castle on Thursday October 28.

She was on a half-term break with her husband Ian, daughter Anne, son-in-law Mark and two grandchildren, James and Emily when the accident happened.

The six family members had been staying at their holiday home in Cauldron Barn Road, Swanage. They had just enjoyed a day out in Corfe and were on their way back to the train station when tragedy struck.

Talking from the family home in Harpenden, husband Ian, 59, said: "She was a wonderful person to be around and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her. She was a very active woman and someone who always gave up her time to help others."

He added: "We were all walking together and the rain was pouring down when we heard this terrific rushing noise and we were suddenly surrounded by trees which were falling down. They seemed to come from nowhere."

Mr and Mrs Hudson and their five-year-old grandson were all hit by the falling tree and trapped beneath the branches. Mr Hudson injured an arm and James suffered minor injuries.

Passers-by stopped to help, but were unable to lift the heavy pine tree, which was estimated to be around 50ft in length. Ambulance and fire crews attended, and Mrs Hudson was pronounced dead at the scene. She died from chest injuries.

Daughter Anne Peck, 30, was just yards behind the group. She and a doctor who was at the scene tried to resuscitate Mrs Hudson.

The violent storm, which lasted only a few minutes, ripped through Corfe Castle just after 3pm tearing off roof tiles and chimneys.

Mike Perry, who runs the nearby Bankes Arms Hotel, in Corfe described the freak weather as a mini tornado. He said: "There was torrential rain and very high winds. There was debris everywhere and roof tiles were coming off. A tree in our garden came down and crashed thorough a neighbour's shed, but luckily no one was hurt."

Mr Perry said there have been several complaints about the trees over the past few years.

He added: "People have been saying that the trees are dangerous because they overhang on to our car park entrance."

The Hudson family paid special thanks to all those who have helped out and offered their support over the past week.

An inquest into Mrs Hudson's death was open and adjourned by a Dorset coroner on Friday October 29.

First published: November 3