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A SCHOOLGIRL who was killed after a car drove onto a rugby pitch has been named locally with tributes pouring in for the “talented” footballer.
The 10-year-old died on Wednesday after a black BMW i4 crashed through a perimeter fence separating the pitches at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria.
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The force confirmed a child who died following a collision in Kendal was a ten-year-old girlCredit: Alamy
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Flowers have been left for the child who died after being hit by a BMW i40Credit: Alamy
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An aerial view of the Kendal Rugby ClubCredit: NNP
The motor ploughed into two girls, but medics were unable to save the older child, who has now been named locally as Poppy in heartbreaking tributes.
Poppy was a budding talent at GT7 Football Academy, who trained at Kendal Rugby Club.
Bouquets of flowers remain at the scene of the tragedy today and flags at the clubhouse are at half-mast.
One card left read: “Rest in peace beautiful, talented Poppy.”
A note from Carnforth Rangers Football Club read: “Rest in peace little one. Our thoughts are with you.”
Another said: “Sending our sincere condolences, our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.”
A second child, an eight-year-old girl from Kendal, was also injured and treated by paramedics.
The schoolgirl was taken to hospital but her injuries are said to be non life-threatening.
Cumbria Constabulary said they are supporting the ten-year-old girl’s family, who are from Kendal.
Children and adults looked on in horror as the car drove down a 3ft drop from a car park and hit two girls, aged 10 and eight, on Wednesday.
The driver of a black BMW i40, a man in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The force said the man, from Lancaster, remains in police custody.
Cops are treating the collision as an isolated incident and said there was no suggestion it was terror-related.
A GT7 academy statement read: “We are deeply distressed and saddened by the events of last night, when a young life was lost and another was injured.
“Our hearts go out to the families and all affected. The entire GT7 family shares in their grief.
“We ask that the privacy of all involved is respected, that and their wellbeing is our only priority at the moment. Thank you to the local and football community for all your support.
“As with Kendal rugby club, GT7 will be temporarily closed until further notice. We will provide any updates when appropriate.”
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The driver, a man in his 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous drivingCredit: Alamy
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Floral tributes and messages of condolence have been left at the sceneCredit: NNP
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The car appeared to ram through one of the green fence panelsCredit: Alamy
Dave Hill lives in Kendal and said the sports club would have been packed with kids playing at the time of the tragedy.
The dad-of-two is a former football coach himself and visited the scene to lay flowers.
Dave, 66, told The Sun: “I’ve dropped my boys off at clubs so many times over the years.
“This has resonated with me because you leave them, you go away for an hour, and you come back and hope they are safe.
“On an evening like Wednesday lots of people would have turned up like normal to train on the practice pitches.
“I was on my way home at 5pm and pulled over as lots of police cars and ambulances were going past me.
“I got home and realised something tragic had happened at the rugby ground.”
Players and coaches from Kendal United Football Club, who are thought to have been training at the time, are said to have witnessed the “horrific event”.
Officers were not stationed at the scene in Shap Road on Thursday but forensic tape covered two panels of metal fencing on the pitch parameter, which appeared to have been flattened from the collision.
Tyre marks were also visible on the pitch.
TRAGIC DEATH
A statement from Kendal United FC shared on social media said: “This afternoon a tragic event occurred at Kendal Rugby Club.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families at this terribly sad time.
“We know that some Kendal United players and coaches witnessed this horrific event and as a club we would ask anyone affected to contact the committee who will offer support and help, where needed, at this incredibly sad time.”
A message from Kendal Rugby Club 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 co-operating fully with the authorities as they conduct their investigation – the club and all facilities are temporarily closed while this is carried out.”
The mayor of Kendal, Cllr Jonathan Cornthwaite, said: “It’s hard to put into words our sense of shock at such a tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected by this terrible event.
“Churches across Kendal are open for anyone needing a moment of quiet reflection.”
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.”
Carnforth Rangers Football Club said: “Sending all our thoughts and prayers to all the families affected by last night’s heartbreaking tragedy at Kendal Rugby Club.
“We are devastated for all of our friends at GT7 and offer all our support to the grassroots football family at this time.”
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact police by reporting online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it, quoting incident number 195 of 5 March.
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A second child, an eight-year-old girl from Kendal, was also injuredCredit: Alamy
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The crash happened at Kendal Rugby Union Football Club in CumbriaCredit: Alamy
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Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact policeCredit: Alamy
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