Southend on Sea Borough Council

06/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/26/2026 05:43

One year since Chalkwell Park Tree incident

Councillor Daniel Cowan laid flowers at Chalkwell Park in memory of Leonna Ruka.

Cllr Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: "As we mark one year since the tragic incident at Chalkwell Park on 28 June 2025, our thoughts remain with the family of Leonna Ruka, who so heartbreakingly lost her life, with the other children who were injured, and their families.

"This was an incident that deeply affected our whole community, including the first responders and members of the public who acted so selflessly to help on the day.

"We continue to hold Leonna's family in our thoughts and send our sincere condolences as they face this anniversary."

Notes to editors:

  • A seven-year-old girl, Leonna Ruka, died following the partial collapse of a tree in Chalkwell Park on Saturday 28 June 2025. Four other children were injured, including one who suffered serious injuries.

  • The joint investigation by Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is ongoing. The Council is supporting these enquiries, and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.

Published: 26th June 2026

Southend on Sea Borough Council published this content on June 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 26, 2026 at 11:43 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]