A 19-year-old university student died after a sudden gust of windtoppled a tree in afreak accident.

Stefany Valentina Mata Carrillo was hit by the falling timberbefore she had time to react. The horror unfolded at a sports complex. Emergency responders arrived at the scene quickly and rushed her to a local hospital.

Due to the severity of her injuries, doctors were unable to save her and Stefany was pronounced dead just minutes after arriving at the facility in Maturín, north-eastern Venezuela.

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Stefany was studying physiotherapy at the local Rómulo Gallegos National Experimental University.

She was originally from Ciudad Guayana, according to her social media, as reported by NeedToKnow.

Some locals have aimed at the authorities, claiming that her death on Monday (30 Jun) afternoon could have been avoided.

Herminia alleged: “Those big, very old trees need to be cut down.” Ybel claimed: “Agreed, they’re a danger.”

Others, however, took a different view.

Marisela said: “Then, when the mayor’s office or the governor’s office starts cutting down those kinds of rotten trees. People come out criticising and saying it’s an ecocide.”

Manuel added: “I think the same as you, but it’s worth pointing out that the tree in question is leafy and green. It doesn’t look much like a rotten tree or trunk.”

Jovana said, “May God hold you in his glory, cousin. We’re going to miss you.”

It comes after a young girl was killed in Essex when a tree - which had allegedly been "propped up for decades" - fell on her.

Leonna Ruka died when a tree fell on her in Chalkwell Park, Southend, in a horror incident over the weekend, Essex Police said in a statement. The service said the seven-year-old had travelled to the park with her family, and was one of several children hit when a portion of a tree broke off, with the youngster rushed to hospital following a massive emergency response, which included an air ambulance.

She was tragically declared dead after arrival, with other children treated for "minor injuries", one of whom remains in critical condition.

Leonna's family has remembered the "beautiful, bright and loving little girl" in a heartbreaking statement issued this afternoon. In a statement, Leonna’s family said: "It is with broken hearts and unimaginable pain that we share the devastating loss of our beloved daughter Leonna – our beautiful, bright, and loving little girl, taken from us far too soon.

"Leonna was more than just a child – she was a light in our lives and in the lives of everyone who had the joy of meeting her. She was an intelligent and curious soul, full of energy and creativity.

"A little girl who was always exploring, always asking questions, always dreaming. She had a heart full of love and a mind full of endless ideas. She was funny, kind, and full of life – a shining star who brought happiness wherever she went and with whoever she met."