HRH Princess Anne attended some of the 100th anniversary commemorative events for the Quintinshill rail disaster at Gretna Green on May 22 this year.
And she was joined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and many community representatives as she planted the pear tree on The Green in memory of the 225 victims who lost their lives in Britain’s worst rail tragedy.
But Police Scotland reported this morning that the tree, which replaced an old pear tree which had become rotten and dangerous, was chopped down sometime on Friday night.
Constable Andy Aitken, of Gretna Police, said: “It beggars belief that someone has carried out such a wanton act of vandalism.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area of The Green at Gretna Green to get in touch through 101 if they can help.”
