Heartbroken relatives’ tributes to Jessica, 11
TRIBUTES have been paid to 11-year-old Jessica Simpson, who died suddenly last week.
She was found unresponsive at her home in Maple Avenue, Burscough, just after 11pm on March 11.
Neighbours said she was the youngest of four sisters.
Residents described her as “a lovely girl” who had just started at Burscough Priory Academy in September last year.
Jessica lived with her dad, Alan, who works at a building trade store, locals said, and was well-known among neighbours who recognised her from the early morning school run.
Heartbroken relatives said her death had been “very sudden” and “tragic.”
David Knowles, 68, who lives in the cul-de-sac, said he had seen Alan on Monday afternoon, about five hours before Jessica was found unresponsive.
He said: “Jessica was a lovely girl, she used to knock on my door and sometimes come inside my house.
“They’re good neighbours, no trouble at all.”
St John’s church, in Burscough, opened earlier last week for the community to pay their respects.
Rev Elliott Ireton said: “We recognise the grief in the community and we had some people in the church today wanting to remember her.
“We will be opening the church, this afternoon, once more.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to meet Jessica, but we can provide pastoral support for those who need it.”
Lesley Gwinett, executive head teacher at Burscough Priory Academy, said: “We were all extremely saddened and shocked when we heard this news.
“We will do all we can working with specialists from the county council to put the right support in place for our pupils and staff. Our thoughts are with family and friends as they come to terms with this.”
Police were called to Jessica’s home by the ambulance service on Monday night.
She was immediately taken to Ormskirk Hospital but died a short time later. The cause of death is not yet known, but it is not believed to be suspicious.
In a statement, Lancashire police said: “Our thoughts are very much with her family and friends at this sad time.”