Girl, 6, killed by falling tree at school is pictured as family pay heartbreaking tribute to ‘beautiful daughter’
A SIX-year-old girl who was killed by a falling tree has been pictured for the first time as her family paid tribute to their “beautiful daughter”.
Ella Henderson died in hospital on Saturday morning after being struck by a tree outside Gosforth Park First School in Newcastle on Friday.
Ella Henderson has been pictured for the first time since being killed by a tree outside a primary school[/caption] Tributes have been left for the little girl after the tragic accident[/caption] Ella was struck by the falling tree outside Gosforth Park school in Newcastle[/caption]Today, Ella’s family issued a heartfelt tribute to their beloved daughter and sister.
They said: “Ella is our beautiful baby girl now and always.
“We want to say a heartfelt thank you to the teachers, emergency services and the staff at the RVI who did everything they could to help her.
“We are truly humbled by all the support and donations, even from people we have never met before.
“She was so brave and so strong, she brought so much joy to us, her big sister Abi, her family, her besties and all who she met.
“We feel incredibly blessed to have had her in our lives. We had the perfect family and she will live on in our hearts.”
Following the tragedy, Ella’s family set up a fundraising page for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, who were among the emergency services responding to the incident.
The page has already raised over £30,000 in Ella’s name.
‘SHOCKED AND DEVASTATED’
Tributes poured in for the little girl over the weekend, with an abundance of flowers left at the school gates.
Headteacher of Gosforth Park school, Leanne Lamb, said extra support was being put in place for students and staff who are “devastated” by the little girl’s death.
She said: “Our entire school community has been shocked and devastated by the tragic news that one of our pupils passed away during the night, as a result of injuries suffered from a falling tree in the school grounds.
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the child’s family and friends as they come to terms with this tragic loss.
“As a school and community, we will take the time to mourn and are putting in place extra support for the staff and pupils who are devastated by this incident.”
Emergency services were called around 1pm on Friday to reports of a girl left seriously injured by a falling tree.
A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service said they sent specialist paramedics, an ambulance, rapid response paramedic, a hazardous area response team and an officer to the scene.
They also requested the support of Great North Air Ambulance.
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Detective Inspector Steve Byrne, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was an incredibly tragic incident and our thoughts go out to Ella’s family and loved ones at this unbelievably difficult time.
“We will continue to offer them any support they need, and they have asked that their privacy is respected as they grieve the loss of Ella.”
An investigation has been launched with police working in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive.
Emergency services attended the scene on Saturday[/caption] Ella was taken to hospital in an ambulance[/caption]