A gifted and popular schoolgirl has died after falling from a multi-storey car park.

Amy Burgess, 16, of Prince Albert Road, West Mersea, was a year 11 pupil at Philip Morant School in Colchester and was due to sit her GCSEs.

She fell from the busy NCP car park in Nunn's Road, Colchester, at 4.30pm yesterday.

Earlier in the day she had been due to take her first GCSE examination, a German oral test. She went to school but did not sit the exam.

However, she went back again later and it was rearranged. But again she did not sit the exam. She left the school at 4pm.

Today head teacher Russell Moon paid tribute to Amy as a "much-loved member of the school" and said special counsellors were being brought in to comfort other students following her death.

Deputy head Melanie Saunders said Amy was due to take ten GCSEs and would have passed them all with grades A to C.

She had also accepted a place in the school's sixth form.

Amy was described as a highly-able pupil who was involved in after-school activities excelling in public speaking for which she won internal competitions.

Her elder sister Sophie had been a pupil at the school.

Mr Moon said: "Amy was a much-loved member of the school community and she will be greatly missed by her friends at the school, her teachers and all members of the school.

"Just before she died she had a very happy final day with us on Tuesday taking part in our leavers assembly and a social occasion in the evening.

"The staff and students of Philip Morant School are very shocked by the news of Amy's tragic death and offer our sincere condolences to her family and friends as they come to terms with her death.

"Arrangements have been made within the school to support both students, staff and parents in dealing with their grief.

"We have held assemblies for staff and pupils to ensure they all received the tragic news in the company of friends. Prayers were said for Amy and her family."

Friends in Amy's year at the school are currently on study leave so the school has been unable to hold an assembly for them.

But Mr Moon said arrangements were being made to help them.

The school flag was today flying at half mast in tribute to Amy.

The coroner has been informed of her death and an inquest will be held.

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