Latest news with #treeaccident
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Southend tree fall tragedy: What do we know so far?
A seven-year-old girl was killed and her six-year-old cousin critically injured after a tree partially of teddy bears and flowers have been left at Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea as the city continues to is what we know so far about the circumstances around the tragedy. What happened? A large tree in Chalkwell Park partially fell on five children at about 15:00 BST on to 50 people nearby rushed to the scene and tried to lift the branch that had cracked and fell to the seven, from Dagenham, was visiting her extended family in Southend-on-Sea and was fatally injured.A six-year-old girl, a cousin of Leonna's, remains in hospital in a critical other children were also sent to hospital with minor a tribute, Leonna's family described her as a "light in our lives"."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."We will never stop wondering who she would have become, but we will forever carry who she was."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."The family also said they were grateful for all of the tributes paid to their "precious" daughter. What do we know about the tree? The tree has been identified as some form of cedar and is about 350 years used to be supported by wooden props but they were eventually replaced by metal Courtenay, city councillor and Conservative group leader, said the tree had been supported by the metal bars for surgeons spent Monday inspecting the tree and the area remains cordoned off to the public. How has the community reacted? Hundreds of teddy bears and flowers have been left at the park by people wanting to pay their service personnel along with local dignitaries visited the scene on Monday to leave tributes.A local primary school left floral tributes and their card read: "Our entire school community is heartbroken by this tragic loss. "We're sending our deepest condolences and hold you in our thoughts. From all at Chalkwell Hall Infant School."Jessie Huggins, 31, lives nearby and came to the area to pay her respects."I've got children myself and I think that it could have been anyone's little one that day," she said."You can see the tree from here and it must have been absolutely terrifying, what people must have been going through at the time."Another local resident, Carol Sheil, 66, brought her two-year-old granddaughter to lay said she was born and raised in the area and had seen generations of her family play under the tree."It's just heartbreaking," she said. "It could have happened to anybody, anyone could've been in that position."We just feel sorry for the families." What did Essex Police say? Essex Police is investigating the incident and a cordon remains around the scene, but the rest of the park is open. Officers have been supporting the families affected and the force urged anyone with more information to come Chief Constable Lucy Morris said: "To lose a child in any circumstance is unthinkable, to lose a child in this terrible way defies all belief."We will update on the outcome of these inquiries as soon as we possibly can."Until then, I'd ask that the public remember how harmful potentially unsubstantiated commentary can be."There will be a time and a place for the facts around what led to this incident to be explored in a public forum."Our investigation is still at a relatively early stage and, as desperately as people want answers, I'd please urge patience." What happens next? Essex Police launched an investigation on Saturday and is working with the Health and Safety Executive, which confirmed it would have inspectors at the site. The park, west of the city centre, is managed by Southend-on-Sea City Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said the council would be co-operating with police as their investigation continued. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Pictured: Girl, 7, who died after tree fell on her in park
A seven-year-old girl who died when a tree collapsed onto her in an Essex park has been pictured for the first time. Leonna Ruka was visiting family when the accident happened in Chalkwell Park, Southend, on Saturday. In a tribute issued through Essex Police, her family said she was the 'light in our lives'. Leonna's family were enjoying the warm weather when the tree partially collapsed at just after 3pm. She was one of several children who were caught beneath it. Members of the public rushed to help the children, and were joined by first responders from all emergency services. Leonna, from Dagenham, east London, was taken to hospital, where she later died. Essex Police continues to support her family. A six-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical condition. Three other children suffered minor injuries. Cllr James Courtenay, who leads Southend council's Conservative group, said he believed the tree had been supported by poles for years, if not decades. In a statement through the force, her family said: '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, a little girl who was always exploring, always asking questions, always dreaming. 'She had a heart full of love and a mind full of endless ideas. She was funny, kind, and full of life – a shining star who brought happiness wherever she went and she met. 'From the moment she walked into a room, she would light it up. She had this rare gift of making everyone feel special and loved. There was something truly unique and unforgettable about her. 'Every person she met was left with only beautiful impressions and a warm feeling in their heart. She was the kind of girl who gave love without asking for anything in return. She was perfect – too perfect for a world that can be so cruel and unfair. 'Leonna had so many dreams – dreams that now remain unfinished. Our hearts ache knowing how much life she had ahead of her, how much joy she could have brought to this world. We will never stop wondering who she would have become, but we will forever carry who she was.' The family said they 'would like to take this moment to thank everyone who has supported us – our family, our friends, our community, and all those who stood with us in Southend and beyond'. They added: 'Your kindness, your prayers, and your presence have meant more than we could ever express. In our deepest sorrow, you reminded us that we are not alone. 'The outpouring of love for our daughter has brought us comfort in ways we never imagined possible. As we try to navigate this unimaginable pain, we kindly ask for privacy. 'This is a time of deep mourning and reflection for our family. 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. Thank you for holding her in your hearts.' Cllr Courtenay said: 'That tree had been there for so long – it was an old tree when I was a lad. 'In this day and age, parents are always worried about their children in parks, but the one thing you wouldn't worry about is a tree collapsing. I can barely begin to imagine what the family must feel. Their world has been turned upside down in seconds.'
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Pictured: Girl, 7, who died after tree fell on her in park
A seven-year-old girl who died when a tree collapsed onto her in an Essex park has been pictured for the first time. Leonna Ruka was visiting family when the accident happened in Chalkwell Park, Southend, on Saturday. In a tribute issued through Essex Police, her family said she was the 'light in our lives'.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Girl, 7, killed by falling tree at park is pictured as family pay tribute to ‘light in their lives'
TRIBUTES have flooded in for a little girl who was killed by a falling tree in a park while visiting with her family. Seven-year-old Leonna Ruka, from East London, was visiting Southend in Essex for the day. 1 Essex Police scrambled to the scene after the tree collapsed in popular Chalkwell Park, crushing a group of children. A six-year-old girl, who was also caught under the tree as it fell, is still fighting for her life in hospital. Three other children were also hospitalised with minor injuries. Locals said the very old cedar tree had been propped up by metal supports for at least a decade and it was a "known danger". is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Floral tributes left at scene of tree fall tragedy in Chalkwell Park
Floral tributes have been placed in Chalkwell Park after a child died when a tree fell. Police remain at the scene today as they continue to investigate the incident alongside forensic specialists. Shortly before 3pm on Saturday, June 28, it was reported a tree had partially collapsed in Chalkwell Park. A number of children were caught beneath the tree and suffered injuries. The park was busy with members of the public and many immediately went to their aid. Floral tributes left in Chalkwell Park on Sunday morning (Image: Newsquest)Officers, paramedics and firefighters were soon on the scene and provided care. Two children, girls aged seven and six, suffered serious injuries and were taken on to hospital. Sadly, the seven-year-old girl has since died in hospital. Her family are receiving support from specialist officers. The six-year-old girl remains in a critical condition. Floral tributes left in Chalkwell Park on Sunday morning (Image: Newsquest) After passing on his sympathies, Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said: 'It's also not lost on me how traumatic it must have been for the members of the public who witnessed this awful incident. 'Across a matter of moments, many of them went from enjoying the warm summer weather to rushing to the aid of strangers without a second thought. 'They showed the best of Southend today and I'm sorry this update does not bring them more positive news. 'My officers, and our partners with the ambulance and fire service, did all they could to help the two injured children. 'Today's loss is one they will all take personally." If you need support after witnessing or being involved in a traumatic incident, please visit the NHS website
