Lioness captain Leah Williamson has paid tribute to a 10-year-old girl who was killed when an electric BMW ploughed into a sports pitch.
Poppy Atkinson was killed after being struck by the car at Kendal Rugby Union Football Club, in Cumbria on Wednesday night.
A second child, an eight-year-old girl from Kendal, was rushed to hospital for treatment but her injuries are not life-threatening, Cumbria Police said.
The little girl who was an aspiring footballer was described as a ‘force of nature’ who was ‘too good for this world’, her heartbroken family said.
Leah Williamson, who plays for Women’s Super League club Arsenal and captains the England women’s national team, has also joined in the tributes to Poppy.
Sharing a story in her Instagram page, the football star: ‘Such tragic tragic news! My thoughts are with the family, friends and teammates. I can’t begin tom imagine your loss. RIP Poppy’
Police were first contacted at 4.58pm on Wednesday with a report of a collision involving a black BMW i4 and two children at the football club.
Following the tragedy, the driver, a 40-year-old man from Lancaster was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Poppy Atkinson (pictured), from Kendal, was killed after being struck by the car on a sports pitch at Kendal Rugby Union Football Club
Poppy is pictured with her seven-year-old brother Edward Atkinson who ‘worshipped the ground Poppy walked on’
Leah Williamson, pictured, who plays for Women’s Super League club Arsenal and captains the England women’s national team, has also joined in the tributes to Poppy
It is understood a Kendal United Football Club training session was taking place at the time of the tragedy.
Cumbria Police had said there was ‘no indication to suggest the incident was a deliberate act’.
Poppy was described by her family as the ‘focal point of our lives’ in an emotional tribute as she was named for the first time today.
The young girl dreamed of becoming a footballer for Manchester United and idolised some of the club’s biggest stars, across the men’s and women’s teams.
In an touching tribute, Poppy’s family said: ‘Poppy was the focal point of our lives, everything for us revolved around Poppy’s love for football.
‘Poppy touched so many lives, it was easy to see why, her energy, character, spirit and passion for football was infectious and touched huge numbers of people.
‘Poppy was 100 per cent determined to be a professional footballer. Many who know her, and who know her determination to improve and win, had no doubt she would achieve her goal to one day to play for Manchester United.
‘Poppy idolised Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Mainoo and Messi to name a few. Poppy was a small, petite and beautiful 10-year-old, yet she played up an age group and proudly represented the Kendal United and county U-12 teams.
Flowers are left for the child who died after being hit by a car that drove onto the pitch
Police investigate after a car crashed through a fence at Kendal Rugby Union Football Club
Police cars and ambulances are pictured at the rugby club last night
The scene has been cordoned off as officers examine the area
‘Poppy earned her place through her determination and her technical mastery on the pitch, her skill was envied by most that she played with and against.
‘Poppy was sister to seven-year-old Edward. Edward worshipped the ground Poppy walked on, he only ever wanted to be like her. Poppy would coach and support Edward with his football, it was so beautiful to see.
‘The hole in our lives and so many around us that Poppy leaves is enormous, we will never be whole again. This world has lost a spirit like no other, she was a force of nature. She was so special, she was too good for this world.’
A photo from the scene shows a black car resting on the all-weather sports pitch next to a net, with balls scattered on the green marked out with small cones for practice.
Tim Easter, 34, said: ‘I drive past earlier and saw a first responder ambulance on the pitch and two bigger ambulances in the car park.
‘There were loads of police vehicles and people milling around.’
Kendal Rugby Club’s chairman Dr Stephen Green previously 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 cooperating fully with the authorities as they conduct their investigation – the Club and all facilities are temporarily closed while this is carried out.’
