A grieving family has paid tribute to their beloved daughter, seven-year-old Leonna Ruka, after she tragically died when a tree partially collapsed in a Southend park over the weekend.
The incident occurred in Chalkwell Park shortly before 3pm on Saturday, as families enjoyed the warm summer afternoon. Leonna, from Dagenham, had been visiting relatives in the area and was among several children caught beneath the falling tree.
Emergency services responded swiftly. Members of the public rushed to assist before police, paramedics, air ambulance crews, and firefighters arrived on the scene. Despite urgent medical efforts, Leonna was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and sadly died soon after.
Another child, believed to be Leonna’s six-year-old cousin, remains in hospital in a critical condition. Three other children suffered minor injuries in the collapse.
In a heartfelt tribute released via Essex Police, Leonna’s family shared their overwhelming grief and described their daughter as “the 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.”
The family portrayed Leonna as intelligent, full of energy and curiosity, always eager to learn and explore.
“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. Their tribute described a girl who made everyone around her feel cherished, someone they said was “truly unique and unforgettable,” they said.
“Too perfect for a world that can be so cruel and unfair,” they added. “Her dreams will now remain unfinished.”
The family extended their gratitude to those who have offered support during this difficult time.
“Your kindness, your prayers, and your presence have meant more than we could ever express,” they said. “We are incredibly grateful for every candle lit, every flower placed, every tear shared in her memory.”
They’ve asked for privacy as they come to terms with their devastating loss.
On Monday, emergency service workers and Southend Council dignitaries gathered at the park to lay flowers and reflect on the tragedy, following the heartbreaking Chalkwell Park tree collapse that claimed the life of young Leonna.
An official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the tree’s partial collapse. Police continue to urge the public to avoid speculation.
Assistant Chief Constable Lucy Morris expressed her condolences: “To lose a child in any circumstance is unthinkable, to lose a child in this terrible way defies all belief. We are all hoping for a positive outcome in relation to the little girl who remains in the hospital.
She also praised the community’s swift response, calling it a testament to the spirit of Southend.
Authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculating as they continue their inquiries. “Our investigation is still at a relatively early stage and, as desperately as people want answers, I’d please urge patience,” Morris added.
The community remains united in grief, offering support to a family navigating an unimaginable loss.
