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Girl playing in park was killed by falling branch

Lewis Adams
BBC News, Essex
Reporting fromEssex Coroner's Court
Family handout Seven-year-old Leonna Ruka who has long dark brown hair in bunches above both ears. She is smiling broadly and has dark brown eyes. She is holding up something in her left hand which can just be glimpsed.Family handout
Leonna 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, 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.

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".

"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."

Stuart Woodward/BBC In the foreground is black and yellow tape stretched across . The tree is still partly standing but some branches have fallen off. Its trunk is dark and thick. There are tennis court fences behind it and a series of wooden memorial benches in the foreground.Stuart Woodward/BBC
Up 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.

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.

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.

Stuart Woodward/BBC Many flowers and soft toys have been left in a circle surrounding a small tree in the park. More trees and bushes are in the distance.Stuart Woodward/BBC
People 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.

"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".

"She was perfect – too perfect for a world that can be so cruel and unfair," they added.

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