英国12岁女生上体育课时被英式橄榄球击中胸部而不幸身亡
A 12-year-old girl collapsed and died yesterday after she was hit in the chest by a rugby ball during a PE lesson.
Leonie Nice appeared to suffer a fit after the ball struck her while she was playing ‘throw and catch’ with friends at Woodlands School, Basildon, Essex.
She was rushed to hospital following the freak accident, which happened shortly before midday, but doctors were unable to save her.
The schoolgirl’s mother Kelley Elam, 31, and stepfather Paul Elam, 29, an electrician, remained at Basildon Hospital yesterday evening.
Leonie’s step-grandmother Valerie Elam, 51, said: ‘She really was part of a loving family and they are in pieces right now. They are going to miss her terribly.
Tragic: Leonie Nice, 12, died after being hit by a rugby ball while playing 'throw and catch' in a school PE lesson
‘Leonie was so popular at school with all her friends. She was a very, very affectionate girl. Her mum is struggling to keep it together and is just spending time with her girl at the hospital while she can.
‘You really don’t expect to send your kids to school and get that kind of phone call.’
Tragic: Leonie Nice died today after being hit by a rugby ball at school
Terrible accident: Leonie was taking part in a PE lesson at Woodlands Comprehensive School in Basildon, Essex, pictured, when she was hit in the chest and fell over, appearing to have a fit
Head teacher Andy White said: ‘Leonie keeled over and appeared to go into a fit.
‘Our trained first-aiders gave CPR at the scene and the ambulance arrived quickly.
‘Leonie was taken by ambulance to Basildon Hospital where, despite everyone’s best efforts, she was pronounced dead.
The pupils and parents have been informed of this sad event and students who require support are being looked after by our own staff and specialist staff from Essex County Council’s support team.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.
‘Leonie was a promising, delightful and kind girl who will be greatly missed by all the staff and pupils.’
The cause of death remained unclear last night and a post-mortem examination is due to be held.
But news quickly spread to other schoolchildren, with one speculating online that the blow had cracked one of Leonie’s ribs, which had punctured her heart and killed her.
Heartbreaking: Leonie was taken by ambulance to Basildon Hospital where she was pronounced dead
In rare cases, heavy blows can stop the heart. The schoolgirl may also have had an underlying health condition.
East of England Ambulance Service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: ‘First and foremost our thoughts are firmly with the girl’s family at this tragic time.
‘The ambulance crew arrived at the scene within one minute and found the girl in a critical condition. Following rapid treatment and stabilisation by the ambulance crews, she was taken to an awaiting medical team at Basildon Hospital where sadly she died shortly after.’
Leonie, who celebrated her birthday last month, had an older sister, Courtney, 14, and brothers Riley, ten, and Owen, four.
Friends paid tribute online to the year 7 pupil yesterday.
One girl wrote on Twitter: ‘RIP Leonie-Jo Nice; a beautiful girl, resting with the angels - heaven only takes the best; we all love you; sleep tight angel.’
Another friend posted: ‘R.i.p to our beautiful friend leonie-Jo nice,a stunning girl that was only young, hopes to her family, we all love you, our gorgeous angel.’
Woodlands School, a specialist school in performing arts, has 1,500 pupils aged between 11 and 16.
Last year it was rated outstanding in an Ofsted inspection.