Basildon: Death Threats After Ball Tragedy

The girl who threw the rugby ball which killed schoolgirl Leonie Nice in Basildon's received death threats on Facebook.

Heart's been contacted by a mum concerned about the messages she'd seen posted on the site.

Leonie Nice was catching the ball during a lesson at Woodlands Comprehensive School in Takely End, when she was hit in the chest and fell over, appearing to have a fit, Essex County Council said.

Emergency services were called after the incident, just before noon yesterday, and Leonie was taken to Basildon Hospital but died soon afterwards.

Andy White, headteacher at Woodlands, paid tribute to Year 7 pupil Leonie as a "promising, delightful and kind girl".

He said: "Leonie Nice, a year 7 pupil, was catching a rugby ball in a PE lesson when she was hit in the chest by the ball.

"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, Leonie 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 of Woodlands School.''

Gary Sanderson, spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service, 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, she was taken to an awaiting medical team at Basildon Hospital where sadly she died shortly after."

Essex Police said they were also called to the scene.

Tributes were also left to Leonie on Twitter.

One, from @ShannonHernaman said: "RIP Leonie-Jo Nice; a beautiful girl, resting with the angels - heaven only takes the best; we all love you; sleep tight angel."

Another, from @chlomurph_x read: "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."

The incident comes a fortnight after 16-year-old Kyle Rees died after being struck by a cricket ball at Portchester School in Bournemouth, Dorset.

A 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of manslaughter was released without charge and police confirmed the schoolboy's death was a "tragic accident".