THE family of Langley Park schoolgirl Arabella Campbell, who died from a cardiac arrest on Sunday (May 12), has paid tribute to a 'much loved vivacious, kind and clever girl'.

Staff and pupils at the school at Hawksbrook Lane, Beckenham, were told about the 16-year-old's death yesterday.

Uncle Robert Northcott has given a statement on behalf of Arabella's family and praised the ambulance staff and medical team who tried to help his niece.

He said: "She was a much loved vivacious, kind and clever girl at the heart of her close knit family. 

"After a happy family day last Sunday at home with her mother, grandmother and cousins she settled down to revise for her GCSE exams beginning this week. 

"She was found at 10pm lying on top of her bed surrounded by papers and books. 

"When her mum went to say good night 30 minutes later Arabella was simply gone – not breathing, lips blue. 

"Paramedics came very quickly but her heart had simply stopped. 

"At the house and later at Mayday hospital people did all they could for over two hours but to no avail. 

"The paramedics, police and staff at the hospital were wonderful.  They could not have done more or been any kinder.

"There is no understanding this, no bearing it.  Family and friends are simply bereft.

"Arabella had many friends, loved riding, tennis, Duke of Edinburgh and laughing and hugging. 

"She was looking forward to Sixth Form and had a great appetite for life especially with her little cousins.  We will carry her in our hearts forever more.

"We have no more than this to say and are asking for respect and privacy at this so difficult time."

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service (LAS) said: "“We were called to an address in Stanhope Grove, Beckenham, at 10.38pm.

“Our staff treated the patient who was in cardiac arrest and she was taken as a priority to Croydon University Hospital (formerly known as Mayday hospital).”

A Bromley police spokesman said: “Police were called to an address in Beckenham by the LAS at 11pm on May 12, who were attending to a 16-year-old girl. 

“The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

There have been many tributes on Twitter to the schoolgirl.

Andri, known as @Andri_xo22h, said:  “RIP Arabella Campbell, gone but never forgotten, you were loved by everyone.”

Amy, known as @amsilling13h, said: “I will never forget you as long as I live and I will never stop loving you my gorgeous best friend xxxxxxxxx”.

Did you know Arabella? Call the newsdesk on 01689 885721 to share your tributes.