THE death toll from a tree accident at a picnic site in Cape Town has risen to two following the death of Courtney Jefferies at the Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic. A rotten gum tree crashed onto a group of children and instantly killed a six-year-old girl on Sunday afternoon. A hospital representative said Courtney (6) died at 9.20pm as a result of injuries to her head and spine. Earlier, Melissa Cronje (6), a cousin to Courtney, died instantly after her skull was crushed by the falling tree during a family picnic in Tokai forest. A third child who was trapped by falling branches escaped unharmed. The police said they would investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, but that there would be no criminal charges. – Sapa