The family of a seven-year-old girl who died after a tree collapsed on her in a park has described her as “a light in our lives”.

Leonna Ruka, from Dagenham in east London, was visiting Southend-on-Sea with family.

Emergency services were called to Chalkwell Park shortly before 15:00 BST on Saturday, but Leonna died in hospital.

A six-year-old girl, who was also under the tree and is Leonna’s cousin, remains critically ill in hospital.

In a statement Leonna’s family 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 funny, kind, and full of life – a shining star who brought happiness wherever she went.

“From the moment she walked into a room, she would light it up.

“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.”