THE organisation responsible for Brent's social housing stock is to hold an independent review following the death of a woman hit by a falling tree branch in Willesden.

The 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident near the HJ bus stop at the junction of Harlesden Road and Donnington Road, near The Oaks Estate in Willesden, at 4pm on Tuesday last week.

Paramedics took a 70-year-old bystander who sustained unspecified serious injures to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.

It has not been disclosed whether the victims were related or knew one another.

Brent Council announced this morning its arms-length management organisation Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) is to hold an independent review because it runs The Oaks Estate and is responsible for the tree.

A Brent Council spokesman said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear of this tragic accident and we are thinking of the victim's family.

"We take this extremely seriously and are acting quickly and robustly to find out exactly what happened.

"We have also informed the Health and Safety Executive.

"An inspection since the incident has suggested that we should remove more material from the tree as a precautionary measure.

"We use experts to inspect our trees and there's no reason to think that other trees are dangerous."

The Health and Safety Executive said it normally only deals with workplace deaths but will confirm if it is launching its own probe.

A post-mortem examination is yet to take place on the woman's body.