Rugby ball kills school girl, 12 ( in London)

Quote: Rugby ball kills school girl, 12 ( in London) THIS is the tragic schoolgirl who died in a playground yesterday after being hit by a rugby ball. Leonie Nice, 12, is thought to have had a fit after being struck in the chest when she tried to catch a pass from a pal. Horrified pupils at Woodlands School in Basildon, Essex, watched as frantic staff and paramedics fought in vain to save stricken Leonie. The death came a fortnight after a 16-year-old schoolboy was killed by a cricket ball. A school source said: "The only sound in the playground at lunchtime was that of children crying. "Nobody said a single word because they were all so shocked. A lot of kids saw the efforts to save Leonie. The mood is one of shock and sadness." The Year 7 youngster was struck in the chest by the ball as she tried to catch a pass from a pal during a PE lesson. She fell to the ground gasping for breath and is thought to have had a fit. An ambulance was called to the 1,500-pupil school at about 12.30pm and Leonie was whisked to the town's hospital, where she died soon afterwards. Her 15-year-old sister Courtney — thought to be in the school's Year 10 — sent a poignant text to pals reading simply: "RIP my beautiful sister." Grief-stricken Courtney was being comforted last night by her mum Kelley, 31, along with Leonie's other sister Riley, ten, and brother Owen, five. Kelley is separated from Leonie's dad Paul, 29, who joined her at the hospital following the schoolgirl's collapse. The entire family was said to be "in pieces". The tragedy happened just a fortnight after 16-year-old GCSE pupil Kyle Rees was killed by a cricket ball in the playground of Portchester School in Bournemouth, Dorset. PE ... rugby ball A pal was held on suspicion of manslaughter but was freed without charge after police ruled it a terrible accident. Leonie's friends swapped sad messages on social network websites after she died. One wrote: "Rest In Peace Leonie Nice who passed away in school today. She was so young! 2000-2012. I love you loads and everyone is thinking of you." Children who witnessed the attempts to save the girl sat through the rest of the day's lessons. They will be offered counselling. Head teacher Andy White said: "Leonie had a fit of some description and we know no more. Everything possible was done, including first aid. Who knows what killed her? There will be a post-mortem." He added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. Leonie was a promising, delightful and kind girl who will be greatly missed." Leonie's stepgran Valerie Elam told how the girl loved singing and dreamed of going on X Factor. Valerie, 51, said: "She was full of life. She was part of a loving family and they are in pieces right now. They are going to miss her terribly. "Leoni was so popular at school — she was a very affectionate little 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."



http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/419...l-kills-girl-12.html

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