Charlotte Westhead from Holywood, Co Down died on April 24 while abroad with her mother Jackie, father Wayne and sister Lydia. It is unclear how the accident happened.

The tragedy has left people in north Down "shocked and saddened".

Billy Tate, principal at Belvoir Primary where Charlotte's sister is a pupil, said she was a regular visitor to the school.

"We are absolutely devastated by the news because Charlotte was in and out of the school with her family on a regular basis. She was just a beautiful wee girl."

Mr Tate, who also taught Charlotte's mother, added: "The wee lassie would have come into the school and look around. She was just full of energy. "

He described the Westheads as "the perfect family".

"Her mum and dad are lovely folk. I taught Jackie and have known her a very long time, she is a lovely girl and for something like this to happen is just indescribable.

"They were just a perfect family. It is just such an awful shock, we are just numbed by the news. It really is such a terrible tragedy."

Holywood UUP councillor Ellie McKay said the town was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy. A funeral service will be held at St Philip and St James Church of Ireland in Holywood tomorrow, followed by a private ceremony at Roselawn Crematorium.