Schoolgirl Leonie Nice "dies after being hit by rugby ball" First aid staff at the school tried to revive her and called an ambulance, fast response car and police officers to the scene. The schoolgirl was rushed to hospital but paramedics were unable to resuscitate her and she was pronounced dead on arrival at Basildon Hospital. It is not yet known whether Leonie, who has been described by her teachers as a "promising, delightful girl," suffered any pre-existing medical conditions. Andy White, head teacher, 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 out 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, she sadly she died shortly afterwards. Schoolfriends have already taken to social networking site Twitter to express their shock and pay tribute. One pupil said: "RIP 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<3 Another wrote: "Cant get over the fact that Leonie is gone... I grew up with her and she was such a sweet girl, #RIPLeonie. Everyone is thinking of you <3 Another message said: "RIP Leonie-Jo Nice; a beautiful girl, resting with the angels - heaven only takes the best; we all love you; sleep tight angel." The death comes just two weeks after 16-year-old Kyle Rees died after being hit on the head by a cricket ball at school in Bournemouth, Dorset. The teenager had been in the playground when he was struck with the indoor practice ball, with the post-mortem revealing he died from head injuries.