Barking & Dagenham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Tributes have been paid to seven-year-old Leonna Ruka, who tragically died after a tree collapsed at Chalkwell Park in Barking & Dagenham.
On Saturday, Leonna Ruka traveled to Chalkwell Park to take advantage of the pleasant summer weather while she was in the neighborhood visiting relatives.
Leonna was among the children trapped beneath a partially collapsed tree in the park just before 3 p.m.
Leonna passed away after being admitted to the hospital with severe injuries. Her family is still receiving assistance from Essex Police.
Three other kids had minor injuries, while a six-year-old girl from Barking & Dagenham is still in critical condition at the hospital.
In a subsequent statement to the police, Leonna’s family honored their daughter, who “had a heart full of love.”
They 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 also described as a “funny” and “kind” girl who brought happiness whether she went and whoever she met.
They added: “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.
They added that Leonna had so many dreams – dreams that now remain unfinished.
Their hearts ache knowing how much life she had ahead of her, how much joy she could have brought to this world.
They will never stop wondering who she would have become, but they will forever carry who she was.
They took a moment to thank family, friends, community and those who stood with them in Southend for their support.
They explained:
“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.”
They said:
“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.”
What safety measures are being considered after the tree collapse incident?
To find dangerous or weakened trees, authorities will perform thorough assessments of trees in public areas. To prioritize hazards, this entails determining the possibility of tree or branch failure, possible impact zones, and the amount of time people spend in the area.
Measures like trimming, removing dangerous trees, or putting in structural supports like cables and braces may be used to lower the chance of a collapse, depending on risk assessments.
Qualified arborists will do all tree operations, including removal and pruning, in accordance with stringent safety procedures to guarantee public safety and the least amount of disturbance.
To keep people safe, authorities may erect barriers or exclusion zones around trees that pose a risk or around areas that are being maintained.