The mother of an 11-year-old boy who tragically died after being struck by a lorry in Essex has spoken of her profound grief, remembering her son as a child with 'the kindest heart'. George Dennis was fatally injured close to a pedestrian crossing on Epping Road, Chipping Ongar, on the afternoon of 10 July 2026.
Emma Dennis paid a heartfelt tribute to George, saying he would be 'loved forever, missed every single day and remembered always'. She described her son as 'a bright light in our lives', highlighting his 'cheeky smile' and a personality that was 'truly one of a kind'. George, a keen Tottenham Hotspur fan, played football for Ongar Juniors, where he was affectionately known as 'Twinkle Toes', and was a pupil at Moreton Primary School.
Mrs Dennis shared that George was on the cusp of leaving primary school and had been 'so excited for the next chapter of his life'. She spoke of his loyalty as a friend and teammate, and how he was 'full of life, always making people laugh and brought so much happiness to everyone who knew him'. The family has been 'overwhelmed' by the public's generosity, with more than £100,000 raised to support them in the wake of the tragedy.
The incident occurred at approximately 16:20 BST. A 48-year-old lorry driver from Derbyshire was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been released on bail, with the investigation by Essex Police ongoing. Authorities have appealed for any drivers who were in the area at the time of the collision to review their dashcam footage for potential evidence.
In her poignant statement, Mrs Dennis conveyed the immense pain of their loss. 'The pain of losing him is impossible to put into words, and we simply do not know how we will ever begin to heal as a family,' she said. 'Our lives have changed forever and there will always be a space that can never be filled.' She extended her gratitude for the kindness shown by the public and requested privacy for her family as they navigate their grief.