A seven-year-old girl who died when a tree collapsed onto her in an Essex park has been pictured for the first time.
Leonna Ruka was visiting family when the accident happened in Chalkwell Park, Southend, on Saturday.
In a tribute issued through Essex Police, her family said she was the “light in our lives”.
Leonna’s family were enjoying the warm weather when the tree partially collapsed at just after 3pm. She was one of several children who were caught beneath it.
Members of the public rushed to help the children, and were joined by first responders from all emergency services.
Leonna, from Dagenham, east London, was taken to hospital, where she later died. Essex Police continues to support her family.
A six-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical condition. Three other children suffered minor injuries.
Cllr James Courtenay, who leads Southend council’s Conservative group, said he believed the tree had been supported by poles for years, if not decades.
The tree partially collapsed at just after 3pm on Saturday – Rob Welham/McLellan
In a statement through the force, her 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 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.
“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.”
Tributes left to Leonna Ruka after the accident in Chalkwell Park, Southend – Rob Welham/McLellan
The family said they “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”.
They added: “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.
“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.”
Cllr Courtenay said: “That tree had been there for so long – it was an old tree when I was a lad.
“In this day and age, parents are always worried about their children in parks, but the one thing you wouldn’t worry about is a tree collapsing. I can barely begin to imagine what the family must feel. Their world has been turned upside down in seconds.”
