Girl killed by falling tree in Southend park named as Leonna Ruka

The family of a seven -year -old girl who died after collapsing her in a park described her as “a light in our lives”.

Leonna Ruka of Dagenham in East London was visiting Southend-on-Sea with his family.

Emergency services were called to Chalkwell Park shorter than 15:00 on Saturday, but Leonna died in the hospital.

A six -year -old girl, who is also under the tree and is Leonna’s cousin, is critically ill in the hospital. The other three children had minor injuries.

Leonna’s family said in a statement, “We share the destructive loss of our beloved daughter Leonna with broken hearts and unimaginable pain – our beautiful, bright and loving little girl taken very early.

“Leonna was more than just a child – it was a light in our lives and everyone who had the joy of meeting him.

“Funny, polite and full of life – a shining star that brings happiness to the place he went and the person he met.

“He would illuminate him from the moment he entered a room.

“In return, he was a kind of love that gave love unintentionally.

“It was perfect – perfect for a world that can be very cruel and unfair.”

Up to 50 people He tried to lift the tree When he trapped five children underneath, witnesses told the BBC, including some of the nearby Westcliff Cricket Club.

He joined the first intervention teams from all emergency services.

The family also paid tribute to those who reached them.

Essex police published through the family statement, “This moment supports us – our family, friends, community and Southend with us and we want to thank everyone who stands.” He said.

“Your courtesy, your prayers and your presence meant more than we can say so far. You reminded us that we are not alone in our deepest sadness.

“We are incredibly grateful for every burning candle, every flower placed, every tear shared in memory.

“The eruption of love for our daughter gave us comfort in the way we could never imagine.”

On Monday, police, fire and ambulance service and representatives of the Southend-on-Sea Municipal Assembly He paid his respect in the flowers and the park.

Vice President Lucy Morris said: “Losing a child in any case is unthinkable, losing a child in this terrible way challenges all faith.

“From my civil servants and staff to ambulances, fire and council colleagues, Southend’s people and throughout the country – they are struggling to deal with what is.

“We all hope for a positive result for the little girl in the hospital.”

Authorized, a complete and independent police investigation, he added.

It is managed by the Park Council to the west of the city center.

He believed that the tree was about 350 years old and believed that the inspections took place on Monday.

The expression of Leonna’s family ended: “This is time for our family deep mourning and reflection.

“We need a space to remember our valuable Leonna and start a slow and painful healing process.

“Leonna will live in our hearts forever – in every smile, every sunlight, every kindness we see in the world.

“We were very lucky to have it for a short time.

“Thank you for keeping him in his heart.”