"When anyone dies it's a tragedy but when it's a child as young as she was it's just awful.

"All we can do now is pray for her family and hold them in our thoughts.

"It will be a painful wait to hear about exactly what happened following a police investigation because at the moment all we know is she fell, not how or why."

The girl's school, Jameah Academy, said in a statement: "Parents/guardians will be aware that pupils and staff of Jameah Academy, based in Leicester, went on a school trip to Drayton Manor Park on Tuesday 9th May 2017.

"Whilst at the theme park, an incident took place and a girl from year 6 had been airlifted to hospital. Sadly, she later passed away.

"We are liaising with the relevant authorities at this time. Please be assured that the safety and wellbeing of all of our pupils is a priority.

"We would also request that the family as well as the school community be given the time to grieve.

"The school is also providing support to pupils and staff. We are unable to provide any further information at this time."