Tributes have poured in for an 11-year-old schoolgirl who died after suffering an ‘extremely unusual’ medical episode.

The Year 7 Didcot Girls' School pupil passed away at the John Radcliffe Hospital in the early hours of Friday morning.

Police said her death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious.

Detective Inspector Peter Scott, based at Cowley police station, called it a ‘tragedy’.

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He said: “This is a tragedy and our thoughts and condolences are with the girl’s family, friends, pupils and staff at Didcot Girls’ School, at this very difficult time.

“We would ask, on behalf of the girl’s family, for their privacy to be respected.”

The headteacher of Didcot Girls’ School, Georgina Littler, shared her - and the school’s - condolences after the death of the beloved Year 7 pupil.

She said on Friday: “A member of our school community sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning.

“We send our sincere sympathies and condolences to the family at this very difficult time.

“We are deeply saddened by this news which was the result of an extremely unusual medical episode.

“We will be supporting all of the students and staff in our school community over the coming days and weeks.

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“We ask that the family’s privacy is respected as they seek to come to terms with this tragedy.”

Some locals said they had heard that the girl had injured herself after falling down stairs at the school, but it is now understood that this is not what happened.

Since the pupil's death on Friday, tributes have been flooding in on social media from Didcot locals and the wider Oxfordshire community.

Rachel Jenkins Collins said: “So, so sad. Sending our love and prayers to the family. Thinking of the staff and friends too. “

Carrie Redknap Jones added: “So very sad. Sending hugs to the family and friends at this terrible time.”

And Rachael Milham wrote: “This is so sad. Thoughts are with her family and friends at this awful time. Fly high.”

Shelley Compton spared a thought for the pupils and staff who may have witnessed what happened. She wrote: “So very sad, my thoughts are with the girls family. Also thinking of the staff and children who were there at the time.”

Lorraine Bumpass said: “Thinking of the family at this sad time, RIP.”

And Bethany Appleton posted: “Such sad news my thoughts are with the family and friends at this very difficult and sad time.”

Others called the incident "heartbreaking" and "devastating", and all wished the family of the girl well.

Continuing the hundreds of tribute posts, Emma Hardy wrote: “So very sad and heartbreaking. Thinking of all the family and friends.”

Dina Fawaz continued: “My little love, my heart goes out to you and your poor family. My deepest sympathy, love and strength, I’m so very sorry.”

And Dani Wild said: “Absolutely devastating, thoughts are with the family.”

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