Safety barriers have been installed at a rugby club a month after a 10-year-old girl was killed by a car that struck her on the pitch.
Poppy Atkinson died from head injuries after a car crashed through metal barriers during a football training session at Kendal Rugby Club, Cumbria, on 5 March.
Concrete barriers have now been installed along the length of the playing field, with a number of local businesses joining forces to fund the work.
A 40-year-old man from Lancaster, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, has been released under investigation. An inquest into Poppy’s death was adjourned last month.
Reg Burrow, a director at the Kendal club, said safety measures had been reviewed in light of the crash, which also injured another child.
He said the club was “indebted to the kindness of the various businesses who came together” to help fund the 30 vertical 2.5 tonne concrete barriers.
“The terrible loss of Poppy has had a profound effect on our club, and of course the wider community,” he added.
The work was funded by Sellafield’s delivery partners from The Decommissioning Alliance (TDA), i3 Decommissioning Partners and ADAPT joint ventures, while west Cumbrian businesses Forth and MCS installed the barriers.
Chris Shepherd, who works for TDA, said: “The thought that perhaps many may not return to the club because they were scared did not sit well.
“Of course, the new barriers will not bring Poppy back, but they will prevent a repeat of this tragedy.”
