‘Beautiful’ girl, 7, crushed to death by falling tree named

Her family have paid tribute (Picture: REX/Essex Police)

A seven-year-old girl crushed to death by a falling tree has been named as Leonna Ruka.

Leonna, from Dagenham, was enjoying the warm weather in Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea on Sunday when a tree collapsed.

Several children were pinned beneath it, including Leonna, as park-goers and family members rushed to raise the broken branches just after 3pm.

Leonna was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, where she died.

A six-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical condition, and three other children suffered minor injuries.

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The youngster’s family said in a statement today: ‘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 Ruka 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 was described by her family as ‘the light in their lives’ (Picture: Essex Police)

‘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.’

Her family added that Leonna always left those she met with a ‘warm feeling in their heart’, known for her curiosity and inquisitive nature.

‘She was perfect – too perfect for a world that can be so cruel and unfair,’ the statement said.

‘Leonna had so many dreams – dreams that now remain unfinished.’

The 200-year-old cedar tree had been propped up for decades, most recently by a metal pole, photographs before the incident showed.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Penelope Barritt/Shutterstock (15379200n) Part of the giant tree which collapsed on Saturday the 28th June. A 7-year-old girl was pronounced dead in hospital later the same day. A 6-year-old girl is in a critical condition with three other children having minor injuries. Tree collapses causing fatal injuries, Chalkwell Park, Southend on Sea, UK - 29 Jun 2025
Police have fenced off the area where the tree collapsed (Picture: Shutterstock)

Bani, her cousin, previously told Metro that some 50 people raced to help the children after the tree snapped.

‘She was an honest girl who was always good in school. She had so much wisdom for someone so young. Now she is gone,’ he said.

Local cricket teams were among those trying to rip the heavy branch off Leonna, Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket Club member Tom Clark told Metro.

He said: ‘It was a harrowing experience for all involved, with not only the sight of the children but the cries from the parents as well.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Penelope Barritt/Shutterstock (15379200q) Part of the giant tree which collapsed on Saturday the 28th June. A 7-year-old girl was pronounced dead in hospital later the same day. A 6-year-old girl is in a critical condition with three other children having minor injuries. Tree collapses causing fatal injuries, Chalkwell Park, Southend on Sea, UK - 29 Jun 2025
A nearby tree has been transformed into a makeshift memorial for the young girl (Picture: Shutterstock)

‘Everyone reacted without hesitation and did all they could to help the children, including performing CPR and assisting the emergency services who were on the scene quickly and took control of the rescue effort.’

A police investigation is underway.

Assistant Chief Constable Lucy Morris cautioned people against speculating over the little girl’s death.

She added: ‘There will be a time and a place for the facts around what led to this incident to be explored in a public forum.’

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