In northern England, a 16-year-old boy was apprehended on Thursday in connection with what authorities have characterized as the "deliberate" felling of a renowned tree that had graced the landscape next to the Roman monument known as Hadrian's Wall for nearly two centuries.
Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has long been traversed by thousands of visitors annually. This historical wall once served as the northwestern frontier of the Roman Empire. Many of these visitors have taken pause to admire and capture photographs of the iconic tree situated at Sycamore Gap. This particular tree attained widespread recognition when it made an appearance in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves," starring Kevin Costner.
Images captured at the scene on an early Thursday revealed that the tree had been intentionally felled near the base of its trunk, leaving it lying on its side.
Northumbria Police have taken the 16-year-old into custody on suspicion of causing criminal damage, and he is currently assisting law enforcement officers with their inquiries.
"The tree is a world-renowned landmark, and the vandalism has understandably elicited shock and anger both within the local community and beyond," stated the police in an official statement.
Superintendent Kevin Waring of the police remarked, "This is an incredibly sad day. The tree was iconic to the North East and enjoyed by so many who live in or who have visited this region."
The Northumberland National Park Authority has called upon the public to refrain from visiting the toppled tree. This tree garnered the distinction of being named English Tree of the Year in 2016.
Alison Hawkins, who happened to be walking along the Hadrian's Wall path, was among the first individuals to encounter the damage early on Thursday.
"It was a proper shock. It's basically the iconic picture that everyone wants to see," she expressed. "You can forgive nature doing it but you can't forgive that."
Â
