The family of a seven-year-old girl who died following the partial collapse of a tree in Southend have described her as “the light in their lives”.
Leonna Ruka, from Dagenham, was visiting family in the area on Saturday, where she travelled to Chalkwell Park to enjoy the warm summer weather. Shortly before 3pm, a tree in the park partially collapsed, with several children caught beneath it, including Leonna.
Members of the public immediately rushed to help the children who were trapped under the tree, with first responders from police, ambulance, air ambulance and fire services attending the scene.
Leonna was taken on to hospital with serious injuries where she died. Essex Police continue to provide support to her family. A six-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical condition and three other children received minor injuries.
The seven-year-oldâs family released a statement as well as a photo of their daughter to the police as they paid tribute to their daughter who âhad a heart full of love.â
âIt is with broken hearts and unimaginable pain that we share the devastating loss of our beloved daughter Leonna â our beautiful, bright, and loving little girl, taken from us far too soon.
âLeonna was more than just a child â she was a light in our lives and in the lives of everyone who had the joy of meeting herâ, the family added.
They described her as intelligent with a curious soul, full of energy and creativity as she always explored and asked questions.
âShe had a heart full of love and a mind full of endless ideas,â they added. âShe was funny, kind, and full of life â a shining star who brought happiness wherever she went and she met.â
The seven-year-old was described as having a ârare gift of making everyone feel special and lovedâ which made her âtruly unique and unforgettable.â
Her grieving family described Leonna as âtoo perfect for a world that can be so cruel and unfairâ as her dreams would now âremain unfinished.â
They took a moment to thank family, friends community and those who stood with them in Southend for their support,
âYour 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,â the statement read, as police shared a photo of a vigil dedicated to Leonna. âWe are incredibly grateful for every candle lit, every flower placed, every tear shared in her memory.
âThe outpouring of love for our daughter has brought us comfort in ways we never imagined possible,â the family added, asking for privacy as they navigate their mourning and healing process.
Emergency services joined dignitaries from Southend Council to lay flowers and pay their respects at the park on Monday, offering a moment of reflection for those involved in the incident.
An investigation is continuing into the circumstances around the partial collapse of the Southend tree.
Assistant chief constable Lucy Morris said that the forceâs hearts were broken for Leonna and her family as members of the emergency services and councillors struggled to come to terms with the incident on Saturday
âTo lose a child in any circumstance is unthinkable, to lose a child in this terrible way defies all belief,â said the police chief. âWe are all hoping for a positive outcome in relation to the little girl who remains in hospital.â
The force is continuing to support the six-year-oldâs family. Assistant chief constable Morris also praised the actions of those in the park who did what they could to help during the treeâs collapse, as she described them as âa continual reminder of the true spirit of the city of Southend.â
Police have asked the public to avoid speculation while a full and independent police investigation continued, adding that potentially unsubstantiated commentary could be harmful.
âOur investigation is still at a relatively early stage and, as desperately as people want answers, Iâd please urge patience.â
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