Girl dies on activity weekend

An eight-year-old girl has collapsed and died on a school activity weekend.

Charlotte Wright, from Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, collapsed during a trip with classmates.

The activity weekend at the Marchants Hill PGL Centre in Surrey was organised for a group of year four pupils from the Halfway Houses Primary School.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Charlotte's family and friends

Gerry Wetherell, headteacher

The schoolgirl had been taking part in an activity when she suddenly appeared to faint and was taken to hospital in Guildford.

She died at the Royal Surrey County Hospital on Sunday without regaining consciousness.

Headteacher Gerry Wetherell said the school of 480 pupils was shocked and devastated.

"We held a special gathering of children to ensure they were all aware of Charlotte's death and to reflect on the child that she was," he said.

It is the sixth year that pupils from Halfway Houses Primary School have visited the centre.

Distressing time

The headteacher said Charlotte's death was a tragedy.

"Charlotte was a special girl - full of fun and hard working, she loved animals and joined in everything she could.

"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Charlotte's family and friends and we will do anything we can to support them at this distressing time."

Martin Hudson, director of corporate affairs at PGL Travel Limited, which owns the centre, said the staff were extremely upset.

"As far as anyone knows at the moment it was from natural medical causes not an activity accident," he said.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said the Health and Safety Executive were investigating the death.

An inquest into Charlotte's death was opened and adjourned on Wednesday.