Latest news with #DanielCowan
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Yahoo
Council investigates new park tree branch collapse
A council will investigate how a tree branch collapsed in one of its parks three weeks after a falling branch killed a young girl, its leader said. Seven-year-old Leonna Ruka suffered a fatal head injury and four other children were injured when part of a cedar fell at Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on 28 June. On Saturday, a large fallen branch of a fir tree was discovered in the city's Priory Park, which is also maintained by the city council. "Tree specialists have been working in Priory Park all week carrying out inspections and maintenance, and we're working to understand what happened in this case," said Daniel Cowan, Labour. The council's tree surgeons removed the branch and inspected the rest of the tree on Saturday, he added. Further pictures on Your Southend showed some of the branch had collapsed on to a cycle path. Last month, up to 50 people tried to lift part of a 350-year-old tree when it trapped five children underneath it in Chalkwell Park. They included Leona, who was on a day trip from Dagenham, east London, and her six-year-old cousin, who remains critically ill in hospital. The remaining three had minor injuries. An inquest into Leona's death was opened and adjourned on Wednesday, with Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive continuing to investigate the incident. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Girl playing in park was killed by falling branch Family pay tribute to girl killed by falling tree People tried to lift tree that fell and killed girl Related internet links Southend-on-Sea City Council
BBC News
20-07-2025
- BBC News
Southend council investigates new park tree branch collapse
A council will investigate how a tree branch collapsed in one of its parks three weeks after a falling branch killed a young girl, its leader Leonna Ruka suffered a fatal head injury and four other children were injured when part of a cedar fell at Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on 28 Saturday, a large fallen branch of a fir tree was discovered in the city's Priory Park, which is also maintained by the city council."Tree specialists have been working in Priory Park all week carrying out inspections and maintenance, and we're working to understand what happened in this case," said Daniel Cowan, Labour. The council's tree surgeons removed the branch and inspected the rest of the tree on Saturday, he added. Further pictures on Your Southend showed some of the branch had collapsed on to a cycle month, up to 50 people tried to lift part of a 350-year-old tree when it trapped five children underneath it in Chalkwell included Leona, who was on a day trip from Dagenham, east London, and her six-year-old cousin, who remains critically ill in remaining three had minor injuries. An inquest into Leona's death was opened and adjourned on Wednesday, with Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive continuing to investigate the incident. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Southend tragedies taking 'toll on people'
Two major tragedies in a city have taken a toll on residents, a council leader said. A Dutch pilot, a co-pilot and a nurse were among four people who died after a small plane crashed at London Southend Airport on Sunday. The incident came weeks after Leonna Ruka, 7, from Dagenham in east London, was killed when a branch from a large tree in Chalkwell Park fell on five children on 28 June. Her inquest is due to take place on Wednesday. Southend-on-Sea City Council leader Daniel Cowan said: "Two major tragedies in a short space of time is clearly going to take their toll on people, which is why we're encouraging people - anyone needing help - to reach out for it." The Labour leader added that the council had been encouraging residents to seek help if they need it "during these difficult times." "People are coming together and mourning these tragedies as a community, and you can see the outpour of love and support in person and online with communities looking to help and support each other," he said. London Southend Airport has been closed since the plane crash, and witnesses described a "fireball" type explosion soon after the Netherlands-bound light aircraft had taken off. A woman who was killed when the plane crashed was working on her first day as a "flight nurse", the BBC understands. Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, was a German citizen born in Chile and had previously worked as a nurse in the public sector. To find out more about the support on offer to residents, contact Southend-on-Sea City Council. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Airport to remain shut after fireball plane crash Southend tree fall tragedy: What do we know so far?
BBC News
15-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Southend tragedies taking 'toll on people' says council leader
Two major tragedies in a city have taken a toll on residents, a council leader said.A Dutch pilot, a co-pilot and a nurse were among four people who died after a small plane crashed at London Southend Airport on Sunday. The incident came weeks after Leonna Ruka, 7, from Dagenham in east London, was killed when a branch from a large tree in Chalkwell Park fell on five children on 28 June. Her inquest is due to take place on City Council leader Daniel Cowan said: "Two major tragedies in a short space of time is clearly going to take their toll on people, which is why we're encouraging people - anyone needing help - to reach out for it." The Labour leader added that the council had been encouraging residents to seek help if they need it "during these difficult times.""People are coming together and mourning these tragedies as a community, and you can see the outpour of love and support in person and online with communities looking to help and support each other," he said. London Southend Airport has been closed since the plane crash, and witnesses described a "fireball" type explosion soon after the Netherlands-bound light aircraft had taken off.A woman who was killed when the plane crashed was working on her first day as a "flight nurse", the BBC understands. Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, was a German citizen born in Chile and had previously worked as a nurse in the public find out more about the support on offer to residents, contact Southend-on-Sea City Council. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Southend councillors hold minute's silence for tree victim Leonna
Civic dignitaries held a minute's silence in memory of a seven-year-old girl killed by a collapsing Ruka, from Dagenham in east London, had been visiting Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea with family on 28 other children were injured including Leonna's six-year-old cousin, who remains critically ill in at a full meeting of Southend-on-Sea City Council, Labour leader Daniel Cowan said it had been an "incredibly challenging" period. He paid tribute to emergency crews and members of the public who responded to the tragedy."I think all concerned showed the very best of our city in a time of great need and we should be proud of them," Cowan added. Hundreds of floral tributes and teddy bears have been laid in the park since the to 50 people tried to lift the 350-year-old tree when it trapped five children underneath it, including some from nearby Westcliff Cricket Courtenay, leader of the Conservative group, said it had been propped up by supports for decades."My and our group's deepest and heartfelt condolences go to Leona's family and friends for the tragic loss on what should have been a fun visit to the park," he told the meeting on councillor said he had been "moved by the bravery of bystanders, residents and members of the local cricket club who risked their own safety to lift branches".He added: "I'm grateful for the public and private reassurances I've received that the council will co-operate fully with Essex Police and the health and safety executive as they investigate exactly how this happened." The council had commissioned an independent agricultural inspection of the tree, the meeting tribute to Leonna, her family said she had "a heart full of love and a mind full of endless ideas"They added: "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." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
