Leah Harrison's family tribute to budding Lioness with 'beautiful smile, giddy laugh, silly jokes'
The devastated family of a youngster who tragically died in a freak mudslide tragedy have paid tribute to their budding little Lioness.
Football fan Leah Harrison, 10, was on a school trip when she tragically died in the incident at Carlton-in-Cleveland on Wednesday. The horrific incident has sent shockwaves across Teesside and the region.
Through North Yorkshire Police her family have paid tribute to the youngster who was a pupil at Mount Pleasant Primary School, in Darlington.
They said: "Leah Harrison, the happy, bubbly, go-lucky little girl. The beautiful smile, the giddy laugh, the silly jokes. You will never ever be forgotten baby girl. You will achieve your dream and become a player for the Lionesses. Spread those wings. May you rest in paradise."
A spokesperson for the police said: "The family are being supported by specially-trained officers. Please respect their privacy, and give them time and space to grieve."
Police confirmed the incident took place at around 1.15pm on Wednesday and that one person had died and no-one else had been injured. On Thursday morning it was confirmed the fatality was in fact Leah.
Mount Pleasant Primary is part of the Lingfield Education Trust and Chief Executive, Nick Blackburn, said: "The full details are still emerging but this is clearly a heartbreaking tragedy. Leah was a much-loved part of our school and our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the school staff.
"Counselling is being arranged within the school for pupils and staff. We are all in a state of shock and we would ask that the privacy of the family and the school community is respected while we try to come to terms with what has happened."