Latest news with #KendalRugbyClub
BBC News
10-04-2025
- BBC News
Poppy Atkinson: Kendal rugby club installs barriers after death
Safety barriers have been installed at a rugby club a month after a 10-year-old girl was killed by a car that struck her on the Atkinson died from head injuries after a car crashed through metal barriers during a football training session at Kendal Rugby Club, Cumbria, on 5 barriers have now been installed along the length of the playing field, with a number of local businesses joining forces to fund the work.A 40-year-old man from Lancaster, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, has been released under investigation. An inquest into Poppy's death was adjourned last month. Reg Burrow, a director at the Kendal club, said safety measures had been reviewed in light of the crash, which also injured another said the club was "indebted to the kindness of the various businesses who came together" to help fund the 30 vertical 2.5 tonne concrete barriers."The terrible loss of Poppy has had a profound effect on our club, and of course the wider community," he added. The work was funded by Sellafield's delivery partners from The Decommissioning Alliance (TDA), i3 Decommissioning Partners and ADAPT joint ventures, while west Cumbrian businesses Forth and MCS installed the Shepherd, who works for TDA, said: "The thought that perhaps many may not return to the club because they were scared did not sit well."Of course, the new barriers will not bring Poppy back, but they will prevent a repeat of this tragedy." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- BBC News
Poppy Atkinson's school in Kendal closes for her funeral
The school attended by a 10-year-old girl who was fatally struck by a car on a football pitch is closing for the day of her Atkinson was attending a football training session at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria on 5 March when she was hit by the Hutton Church of England School said after speaking to parents, pupils and staff it had decided "it was right that the school does not open on Monday"."We hope that this will enable as many people as possible to pay their respects to Poppy and to be there to help support her family and friends, all of whom who remain in our prayers at this time," a spokesperson said. Poppy's family described her as a "force of nature" whose "passion for football was infectious".She played for Kendal United's U12 girls team and Morecambe girls and was a huge fan of footballers Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Kobbie Mainoo. Her school said it was considering honouring Poppy's memory through her love of football."As a school community we all remain heartbroken by the death of our much-loved pupil Poppy Atkinson," a school spokesperson said."Poppy's tremendous footballing talent has been well documented in recent days, and it may be that as a school community we are able to do something in her memory which reflects this. "We would want to ensure that whatever we chose to do in lasting memory of Poppy is what her family would want too and we would liaise with them thoroughly about any such memorial." A 40-year-old man from Lancaster was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving at the time but has since been released while investigations continue. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lioness Stanway pays tribute to girl killed by car
England footballer Georgia Stanway has paid tribute to Poppy Atkinson, 10, who was killed when a car crashed on to a pitch where she was playing. Poppy was fatally struck by the vehicle while attending a football training session at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria on Wednesday evening. Her family said Poppy was determined to be a professional footballer and idolised Stanway, as well as Manchester United and England players Ella Toone and Kobbie Mainoo. Paying tribute to her, the FC Bayern Munich player said Poppy would "always play a special role" in the sport. An eight-year-old girl, also from Kendal, was taken to hospital for treatment but her injuries were not life-threatening. Cumbria Police arrested a 40-year-old man from Lancaster on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but said there was "no indication to suggest that this incident was a deliberate act". Stanway, who is from Cumbria, said on X the news of Poppy's death was "devastating". "Sending all my love and condolences to the family and all affected," she said. "The football world will miss you Poppy. You will always play a special role." Poppy played for Kendal United's U12 girls team and the club described her as "our much loved player". "Poppy's love for football shone through to all who met her and she was an inspiration to her teammates," a spokesperson said. Poppy's family said their lives revolved around her love for football. "Many who know her, and who know her determination to improve and win, had no doubt she would achieve her goal to one day to play for Manchester United," they said. "She was a force of nature. She was so special, she was too good for this world." In response, Manchester United said: "On behalf of Ella, Kobbie and everyone at Manchester United, we send our heartfelt condolences to Poppy's family and friends for their devastating loss. "Rest in peace Poppy." A number of clubs have already agreed to hold a minute-long silence for Poppy ahead of this weekend's games as part of a campaign launched on social media by South Shields-based Team Grassroots. Cumbria Police is investigating the crash. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here. Girl killed by car on pitch was 'force of nature' Child dies after being hit by car on sports pitch Cumbria Police
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Girl, 10, killed by pitch car was 'force of nature'
A girl who was killed when a car crashed on to a pitch where she was playing football was a "force of nature", her family has said. Poppy Atkinson, 10, was fatally struck by the vehicle while attending a training session at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria on Wednesday evening. Her family described her as the "focal point of their lives". She was determined to be a professional footballer and play for Manchester United, they said. An eight-year-old girl, also from Kendal, was injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Cumbria Police arrested a 40-year-old man from Lancaster on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but said there was "no indication to suggest that this incident was a deliberate act". Poppy's family said their lives revolved around the "small, petite and beautiful" girl's love for football, adding: "Many who know her, and who know her determination to improve and win, had no doubt she would achieve her goal to one day to play for Manchester United." "She was a force of nature. She was so special, she was too good for this world. "Poppy touched so many lives, it was easy to see why, her energy, character, spirit and passion for football was infectious and touched huge numbers of people." This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
The Independent
05-03-2025
- The Independent
Child dies after being hit by car on rugby pitch
A child has died and another has been injured after they were hit by a car on a sports pitch in Cumbria. Officers were called to Kendal Rugby Club shortly before 5pm on Wednesday, Cumbria Police said. The driver of a black BMW i40, a man aged in his 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, the force added. The second child involved was treated by paramedics. The local community is said to be 'stunned and in mourning'. The area on Shap Road has been cordoned off and investigators are at the scene. The immediate family members of the two children have been informed, police said. Police are treating the collision as an isolated incident and there is no suggestion that it was terror-related, the force said. A statement from Kendal Rugby Club shared on social media said: 'We are deeply saddened to confirm that an incident occurred today at Kendal Rugby Club, resulting in a tragic loss of a child's life. 'Our thoughts are with their family and friends and we kindly ask for privacy for all involved at this difficult time. 'We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they conduct their investigation – the club and all facilities are temporarily closed while this is carried out.' Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said he was 'praying' for the children involved. 'This is devastating, utterly heart-breaking news,' he posted on X. 'I'm praying for the children and for their families and friends. 'Our community in Kendal is stunned and in mourning.'
