Teenager falls 30ft from window

The girl was said to be under sedation in hospital

A schoolgirl from south London has been seriously hurt in a 30ft fall from a hotel window in Venice.

The teenager, said to be from Battersea, was reportedly staying in the Lido district during a choir trip.

Onoforo La Manna, director of Ospedale Dell'Angelo at Zelarino Mestre, said she suffered head and internal injuries and was in a serious condition.

It is thought the girl had been sitting with friends on a window ledge when it gave way.

The Foreign Office confirmed that a Briton had been injured and taken to hospital in Venice.

An employee at the hotel said the window ledge gave way under the weight and the girl fell, landing on the canopy which broke her fall.

"It was extremely lucky that the canopy was open, because in all likelihood it saved her life," said the worker from the Hotel Cristallo.

Under sedation

It is understood the fire service have removed the window ledge to prevent it falling onto anyone below.

Mr La Manna said she was under sedation in hospital.

The Italian news agency Ansa reported that the girl would be moved from intensive care to a paediatric ward.

The girl is believed to have been in a 42-strong group from Emanuel School in Battersea, south London.

The Foreign Office said it was offering consular assistance to the family and school.