A DAD was knocked out and three people taken to hospital after strong winds from Storm Bert sent gazebos “soaring through the air” at a Christmas market. 

Wickford Christmas Fayre was cut short on Sunday as Essex Police cordoned off the High Street so ambulance paramedics treated injured residents. 

Three people were taken to hospital for treatment. However it is understood more were treated at the scene, when strong winds caused multiple gazebos to fly down the High Street towards crowds. 

Dad Matt Mason, 45, has been left with a concussion and cuts to his head after being hit by a sandbag which was being used to hold one of the gazebos down.  

Injuries - Matt at the scene of the incident Injuries - Matt at the scene of the incident (Image: Matt Mason) Head injury - Matt after getting the injury seen to at Basildon Hospital Head injury - Matt after getting the injury seen to at Basildon Hospital (Image: Matt Mason)


Matt, who was visiting from York with his family, said: “I remember being picked up and sat down, there was a lot going on, I walked to the ambulance and remember being there and seeing my older son.

“I struggled to get undressed this morning, my shoulders are in a lot of pain. We were meant to be going home but I keep getting dizzy and keep having to take painkillers.

“I think the health and safety of the event was disgusting, it should have been called off and there were no guidelines tied to the gazebos, you must have guidelines or some metal weight or the wind can take it off anywhere.

“I have these injuries. It is hard to move and this could go on for weeks. The people who saw it found it traumatic, there were three young kids near me.

“I want to stop this happening ever again.” 

Ambulance - Ambulances on the scene of the incident Ambulance - Ambulances on the scene of the incident (Image: Matt Mason)


A number of events in Essex and across the country were cancelled ahead of the weekend over safety fears amid Storm Bert. 

Volunteer group Wickford at Christmas, who organised the event have sent their best wishes to those injured. 

Jordan Nutall, 27, was behind Matt with his daughter, three, and son, seven, when Matt was hit by the sandbag.

He said: “People were shaken, children were crying, they were scared.

“When you go to an event, you expect it be organised properly and things done to make sure it is all right. This has been the worst thing and we are badly shaken.”

An ambulance spokesman said: “Three people with head injuries were transported to Basildon and Thurrock Hospital for further assessment and care.”