Family’s heartbreaking tribute to football-mad girl, 10, killed when car ploughed onto rugby pitch as she’s pictured
A ‘BEAUTIFUL’ schoolgirl who was killed when a car ploughed onto a rugby pitch has been pictured for the first time.
Poppy Atkinson, 10, died on Wednesday after a black BMW i4 crashed through a perimeter fence separating the pitches at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria.
Children and adults looked on in horror as the car drove down a 3ft drop from a car park and hit Poppy and another girl aged eight.
They were both rushed to hospital but medics were unable to save young Poppy.
Talented footballer Poppy – who idolised the likes of Ella Toone and Lionel Messi – has since been pictured for the first time as heartbreaking tributes poured in from family and friends.
The keen Manchester United fan played at GT7 Football Academy, who trained at Kendal Rugby Club.
Paying tribute to her life, her devastated 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% 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.
“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 7-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.”
Floral tributes to the youngster were laid at the scene at Kendal Rugby Club, Cumbria, while clubhouse flags were flying at half-mast.
One card read: “Rest in peace beautiful, talented Poppy.”
A note from nearby Carnforth Rangers Football Club read: “Rest in peace little one. Our thoughts are with you.”
And a third said: “Sending our sincere condolences, our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.”
The tragedy happened just before 5pm on Wednesday when the black BMW i4 drove through the wire fence and down a drop onto football pitches, hitting Poppy and another child.
The eight-year-old was taken to hospital but her injuries are said to be non life-threatening.
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.
Eyewitness Scott Denney said “it all happened very fast”, adding: “Just as we got onto the pitch, a car came through the barriers at the top and then landed on the pitch. It was sheer panic.”
Former football coach Dave Hill lives in Kendal and said the sports club would have been packed with kids playing at the time of the tragedy.
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.”
Cops are treating the collision as an isolated incident and said there was no suggestion it was terror-related.
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.
TRAGIC CRASH
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.