A seven-year-old girl crushed to death by a falling tree has been named as Leonna Ruka.
Leonna, from Dagenham, was enjoying the warm weather in Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea on Sunday when a tree collapsed.
Leonna Ruka, from Dagenham, was killed and four other children were injured after the tree fell in Chalkwell Park, Southend-on-Sea, shortly before 3pm on Saturday.
Several children were pinned beneath it, including Leonna, as park-goers and family members rushed to raise the broken branches just after 3pm.
Despite members of the public rushing to try and lift the tree and the efforts of emergency services shortly afterwards, Leonna died from the falling object.
Leonna was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, where she died. A six-year-old girl also remains in hospital in a critical condition, the force said.
Three other children suffered minor injuries.
The youngster’s family said in a statement today: “It is with broken hearts and unimaginable pain that we share the devastating loss of our beloved daughter Leonna – our beautiful, bright, and loving little girl, taken from us far too soon”.
“Leonna was more than just a child – she was a light in our lives and in the lives of everyone who had the joy of meeting her”.
“She was an intelligent and curious soul, full of energy and creativity”.
Her family added that Leonna always left those she met with a “warm feeling in their heart”, known for her curiosity and inquisitive nature.
The family said Leonna was “too perfect for a world that can be so cruel and unfair” and that she had “so many dreams” that would now remain unfinished.
The 200-year-old cedar tree had been propped up for decades, most recently by a metal pole, photographs before the incident showed.
Bani, her cousin, previously told Metro that some 50 people raced to help the children after the tree snapped.
“She was an honest girl who was always good in school. She had so much wisdom for someone so young. Now she is gone,” he said.
Local cricket teams were among those trying to rip the heavy branch off Leonna, Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket Club member Tom Clark told Metro.
He said: “It was a harrowing experience for all involved, with not only the sight of the children but the cries from the parents as well. Everyone reacted without hesitation and did all they could to help the children, including performing CPR and assisting the emergency services who were on the scene quickly and took control of the rescue effort.
The girl had been visiting family in the area on the day of the incident and was enjoying the warm summer weather in the park, Essex Police said.
They also thanked the community in Southend and beyond “for every candle lit, every flower placed [and] every tear shared in her memory” since the incident.
The statement continued: “We need space to grieve, to remember our precious Leonna, and to begin the slow and painful process of healing”.
“Leonna will live forever in our hearts – in every laugh, every sunbeam, every act of kindness we see in the world. We were so lucky to have had her, even if only for a short time”.
A police investigation is underway.
Essex Police assistant chief constable Lucy Morris said: “All of our hearts break for Leonna and her family.
“To lose a child in any circumstance is unthinkable, to lose a child in this terrible way defies all belief”.
Assistant Chief Constable Lucy Morris cautioned people against speculating over the little girl’s death.
She added: “There will be a time and a place for the facts around what led to this incident to be explored in a public forum.”
