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AAP
AAP
Neve Brissenden

Freak tree-branch tragedy victim from South Africa

Police are investigating the death of a woman and her injured husband at the gardens in Darwin. (Aaron Bunch/AAP PHOTOS)

A woman who died when a tree branch fell on her and her husband during an afternoon stroll through the Darwin botanic gardens was a South African national.

Emergency services were called to the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens about 12.50pm on Sunday after reports two people were injured.

St John Ambulance officers attended the scene, where the 28-year-old woman was declared dead.

Her 33-year-old husband suffered serious injuries and was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.

Northern Territory Police Acting Commander Peter Kennon said he was investigating how the Mahogany tree killed the woman.

"There were some people nearby who did witness the incident and rendered assistance immediately," he said on Monday.

"I understand it was a confronting scene."

The couple had only been in Darwin a short time and were walking, not sitting, under the tree.

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the incident was tragic.

"My heart goes out to her family, her friends, to those that witnessed and responded to that accident," she said on Monday.

"It has rocked our community deeply."

Police said Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife were responsible for tree maintenance in the gardens.

The branch of a mahogany tree also killed a man in 2014, sparking its removal and a coronial inquest into his death.

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