Timothy's family are "devastated" by his death

Timothy Sutton, of Urmston, was walking with 12 members of his family at Dunham Park, near Altrincham, Greater Manchester, when he was hit.

His mother, elder brother and younger sister were also hurt when a freak gust caused two 5ft-thick trees to fall on New Year's Day.

The park was closed on Sunday while tree surgeons made the area safe.

Timothy's mother, Julie, 37, suffered a fractured knee and ankle and his 19-year-old brother, Jamie, suffered cuts to his head and neck.

Timothy was making everybody laugh right up to the point the problems with the trees started Claire Fitzpatrick, Timothy's aunt

Both were taken to Trafford General Hospital, in Urmston, for treatment.

Timothy's two-year-old sister, Bethany, escaped with a scratch to her leg and his 14-year-old brother, Daniel, was uninjured.

The family had been out for lunch with other relatives at a nearby pub before setting out on a walk through the National Trust beauty spot, which was being buffeted by winds of up to 70mph.

Det Insp Allan Donoghue, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "They were walking through the main drive of the park when Timothy's father [Gerard] noticed the wind.

Timothy Sutton died while walking with his family in Dunham Park

"They started to hear trees creaking around them and then one of the trees cracked and fell to the ground.

"A number of the group were injured and Timothy was pinned beneath the trunk and crushed."

He said the scene looked like the aftermath of an explosion.

Timothy's mother and father were too upset to comment after the tragedy, but his aunt, Claire Fitzpatrick, 31, said he "was a fun-loving rascal who we all loved dearly".

She added: "He was making everybody laugh right up to the point the problems with the trees started.

"The whole family is devastated."