Tributes to Barwell mum after Drayton Manor Theme Park tragedy

Tributes have been paid to a "devoted" mother-of-two who died after going on a theme park ride.

Carla Knight, 42, suffered a heart attack moments after getting off the Maelstrom ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park on Friday.

The mother-of-two, from Barwell, was at the Staffordshire park with youngsters from the Dorothy Goodman School, in Hinckley, where she worked.

Following the tragedy, her son, Aaron, said: "She was doing what she does best and enjoys the most – her job."

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He described the loss of his mother as "heart-breaking".

A colleague at Dorothy Goodman School said: "It has been a massive shock for everyone who works at the school.

"Carla was an absolutely lovely, caring person and she will be truly missed by all staff and pupils who knew her."

Her neighbours have also spoken of their shock at her sudden death.

One woman said: "Carla was a devoted mother and a kind and considerate woman.

"Her family will be devastated – she was so devoted to her children. It's so tragic.

"No-one deserves that, particularly someone so young."

Tributes were also being offered on social networking website Facebook. Friend Amanda Taylor wrote: "She was an amazing woman and it is so sad that she has had to leave us so suddenly."

Others offered support and words of condolence to Carla's two children, Rosie and Aaron.

Naomi Partridge wrote: "You and Rosie were her pride and joy and she's done an amazing job, you're both lovely people and your mum will live on through you."

The Maelstrom ride, which propels seated riders 72ft (22m) into the air on a giant gyro-swing, had to be stopped when it became apparent she was in distress. An on-site first aid team rushed to help and an off-duty doctor also tried to save her life.

Lissy Goodyear, 17, who saw the tragedy unfold, said: "They stopped the ride to get her off and put her on the ground.

"I saw the paramedics trying to get her heart rate back by doing CPR.

"I don't think there was much they could do. It was horrible to see."

Staffordshire Police have handed their report over to the coroner who is preparing a post-mortem examination.

The Health and Safety Executive said it was waiting for the results of the post-mortem examination before deciding whether to launch an inquiry.

A spokeswoman said that if the death was confirmed as natural causes, it would not investigate.