This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2mkp5m8rpo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Southend tree victim Leonna Ruka was killed by falling branch Southend tree victim Leonna Ruka was killed by falling branch
(about 3 hours later)
Leonna Ruka, seven, died from a severe head injury, Essex Coroner's Court was toldLeonna Ruka, seven, died from a severe head injury, Essex Coroner's Court was told
A seven-year-old girl was killed when a falling branch struck her as she played in a park, a court heard. A seven-year-old girl was killed when a falling branch struck her as she played in a park, an inquest heard.
Leonna Ruka, from Dagenham in east London, suffered a fatal head injury while on a day trip to Southend-on-Sea, Essex, with family on 28 June.Leonna Ruka, from Dagenham in east London, suffered a fatal head injury while on a day trip to Southend-on-Sea, Essex, with family on 28 June.
Four other children were injured including Leonna's six-year-old cousin, who remains critically ill in hospital.Four other children were injured including Leonna's six-year-old cousin, who remains critically ill in hospital.
Opening an inquest into Leonna's death, senior coroner Lincoln Brookes said it "can only be described as a truly tragic incident".Opening an inquest into Leonna's death, senior coroner Lincoln Brookes said it "can only be described as a truly tragic incident".
"My deepest condolences go to the family and loved ones of Leonna," he added."My deepest condolences go to the family and loved ones of Leonna," he added.
"I think that's on behalf of all of Essex and, I'm sure, far beyond as well.""I think that's on behalf of all of Essex and, I'm sure, far beyond as well."
Up to 50 people tried to lift the tree off the children who were trapped, witnesses saidUp to 50 people tried to lift the tree off the children who were trapped, witnesses said
Leonna was playing in Chalkwell Park when she was struck by a "falling part of a tree", the court was told.Leonna was playing in Chalkwell Park when she was struck by a "falling part of a tree", the court was told.
She was taken to Southend Hospital where her death was confirmed at 16:06 BST, having sustained a severe head injury.She was taken to Southend Hospital where her death was confirmed at 16:06 BST, having sustained a severe head injury.
Hundreds of floral tributes and teddy bears have been laid in the park since the incident.Hundreds of floral tributes and teddy bears have been laid in the park since the incident.
Up to 50 people tried to lift the 350-year-old tree when it trapped five children underneath it.Up to 50 people tried to lift the 350-year-old tree when it trapped five children underneath it.
A senior councillor went on to claim it had been propped up by supports for decades.A senior councillor went on to claim it had been propped up by supports for decades.
People continued to lay tributes in Chalkwell Park for several days after the tragedyPeople continued to lay tributes in Chalkwell Park for several days after the tragedy
The inquest was suspended so Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive could continue investigating.The inquest was suspended so Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive could continue investigating.
"Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones," Mr Brookes added."Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones," Mr Brookes added.
Leonna's family previously released a tribute, describing her as "funny, kind and full of life".Leonna's family previously released a tribute, describing her as "funny, kind and full of life".
"She was perfect – too perfect for a world that can be so cruel and unfair," they added."She was perfect – too perfect for a world that can be so cruel and unfair," they added.
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.