Leonna, 7, remembered one year after tree death

Black armbands will be worn by cricketers who tried to help lift a branch which fell on to a seven-year-old girl and killed her.

Leonna Ruka, from Dagenham in east London, suffered a fatal head injury while on a day trip to Southend-on-Sea with family on 28 June 2025.

Four other children were injured, including Leonna's six-year-old cousin, when the tree fell in Chalkwell Park.

Essex Police, which is leading the investigation into what happened, said it was "a complex, forensic and sensitive process, which will take time".

The BBC understands the investigation process is still likely to take several months.

An inquest heard how Leonna was playing when she was struck by a "falling part of a tree".

A witness said about 50 people, including members of the nearby cricket club, tried to lift the tree, which had trapped Leonna and four other children underneath.

She was taken to Southend Hospital where her death was confirmed at 16:06 BST.

Her cousin was critically injured - the BBC understands she has left hospital and is continuing to recover.

In a statement released by the family earlier this week, Leonna's family described her as an "extraordinary person whose kindness, loving heart, caring nature and positive energy brightened the lives of everyone around her".

"We remain profoundly proud of the person Leonna was and the impact she had on those fortunate enough to know her," they said.

Both Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are investigating what happened, although Essex Police is leading the inquiry.

A spokesperson for the force told the BBC it was continuing to offer support to those affected, and "the thoughts of everyone involved in the investigation remain with the families and friends of both young girls – one of whom so tragically lost her life".

Essex Police said its investigation "remains a complex, forensic and sensitive process".

For weeks after the tragedy, the cedar tree - estimated to be 350 years old - remained in Chalkwell Park, its trunk split and the heavy branch which trapped the children still lying on the floor, with the site sealed off to the public.

In November, the HSE handed over control of the site to Southend-on-Sea City Council "having felled the tree and removed substantial parts".

The ground has since been levelled and reseeded, with the footpaths safely reopened to the public and new kerbing installed.

The council said it had an established tree inspection regime, with inspections carried out by qualified officers.

Over 40 Cedar of Lebanon trees had been looked at in the borough, including 10 which were in the same size bracket as the one in Chalkwell Park.

It has arranged for any necessary work to be carried out, a spokesperson said.

The council is also in the process of updating its tree policy, which is due to be reviewed by councillors later this year.

The leader of the city council, Labour's Daniel Cowan, said the bench erected in the park in Leonna's memory would "stand as an ongoing tribute to her memory".

"We need to ensure that anything that we are doing or anything that we continue to do in the future is in line with the family's wishes," he said.

A council spokesperson said it had been engaging "sensitively with Leonna's family regarding how the anniversary is marked".

Following the incident, hundreds of floral tributes and cuddly toys were left by members of the public.

Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket Club said everyone at the club was "heartbroken by the tragedy", and sent its "heartfelt condolences" to Leonna's family.

"The players, coaches and spectators who were present on the day did all in their power to help those involved and were left traumatised by the incident," a spokesperson told the BBC, adding that it had offered counselling to those who needed it.

"As a mark of respect, players will be wearing black armbands and observing a minute's silence this weekend as we approach the anniversary of the accident."

David Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said it had been "a terrible incident", but one which also showed the Southend community coming together.

"I cannot thank everyone enough for their actions on that day," he said.

"The loss of such a young child is an immeasurable tragedy and my heart goes out to Leonna Ruka's family, who remain in my thoughts."

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