Girl, 7, killed by falling tree at Chalkwell Park pictured for first time

The young girl who died in a tragic tree accident that left several children injured has been named, with tributes pouring in for the "beautiful, bright, and loving little girl".

Leonna Ruka died when a tree fell on her in Chalkwell Park, Southend, in a horror incident over the weekend, Essex Police said in a statement. The service said the seven-year-old had travelled to the park with her family, and was one of several children hit when a portion of a tree broke off, with the youngster rushed to hospital following a massive emergency response, which included an air ambulance.

She was tragically declared dead after arrival, with other children treated for "minor injuries", one of whom remains in critical condition.

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Leonna's family has remembered the "beautiful, bright and loving little girl" in a heartbreaking statement issued this afternoon. In a statement, Leonna’s 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 with whoever 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.

The statement adds: "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."

"We 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. 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.

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

Essex Police said in a statement that the service continues to investigate the incident, with Assistant Chief Constable Lucy Morris commending people who served as a "continual reminder of the true spirit of the city of Southend" when they ran to help out the group of children following the accident over the weekend. 

She said: "There is a full and independent police investigation underway.This will take time. We will update on the outcome of these enquiries 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."