William Eichler 14 July 2025

Councillors hold minute’s silence for girl killed by tree

Councillors hold minute’s silence for girl killed by tree image
Southend-on-Sea City Council offices. © Jimj0will / Shutterstock.com

Councillors in Southend-on-Sea held a minute’s silence in memory of a seven-year-old girl who was killed by a falling tree.

Leonna Ruka, from Dagenham in east London, had been visiting Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea with family on 28 June.

Four other children were also injured and Leonna’s six-year-old cousin remains critically ill in hospital.

At a meeting of Full Council last week, the Worshipful the Mayor, Cllr Nigel Folkard, led a minute's silence in memory of Leonna.

A council statement said, ‘The council and the wider Southend community stand united together in grief and support during this difficult time.’

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