A 16-year-old pupil who was killed after being hit by a taxi outside a £31,000-a-year private school has been pictured as her heartbroken family pay tribute. 

Melissa Premaratne was hit by an Addison Lee taxi while walking across the street on her way to attend class at Highgate School in north London yesterday morning.

She became stuck under the black Mercedes Vito people carrier, with firefighters forced to lift the vehicle with specialist equipment to free her, witnesses reported. 

Police were called to North Road at around 8.13am while emergency crews, including the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and London’s Air Ambulance, all rushed to the incident.

But tragically, Melissa was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Paying tribute, her devastated family said: 'Melissa was a light in our lives and an amazing person. 

'We will miss her deeply, every single day. Her kindness, warmth, and beautiful spirit will always remain in our hearts.'

A 68-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue. 

A spokesman from Highgate School said the news of Melissa's death 'has come as a terrible shock to everyone at Highgate'.

They added: 'It is with deep sadness that we share the news that one of our Y12 pupils died today on the way to school in a road traffic incident.

'Out of respect for the family's privacy, no further details will be shared at this time. We thank you for your understanding and compassion.

'The loss of such a young life, so full of promise and hope, is deeply heartbreaking, and we extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and all those affected by this awful news. 

'She will be greatly missed, and we will continue to support her family, our pupils and staff, and the wider community, as we mourn her loss.' 

Detective Inspector Simon Ager said: 'Our thoughts remain with Melissa's family following her tragic death.

'The loss of a young life in such circumstances is truly devastating, and we recognise the profound impact this will have on all those who knew and loved her.

'Specialist officers continue to support Melissa's family, and we would ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.

'Our investigation remains ongoing and we are working to establish exactly what happened. 

'We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or has any dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage from the area at around the time it occurred.'

Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate, said on X: 'I am devastated to hear about the death of a young girl outside Highgate School.

'My thoughts are with her family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this tragic incident.

'I know this will be impacting the school and the wider community deeply, and I am here to support any constituents in need.'

 A spokesman for private hire group Addison Lee – which provides chauffeured cars, minibuses and couriers – said the vehicle belonged to the company.

'We are aware of a serious incident that took place today involving one of our vehicles and pedestrians at approximately 8.30am in the Highgate vicinity,' he said. 

'Our thoughts are with those people affected.

'Due to its nature, the incident response is being led and managed by the police, and we are supporting them in their investigation.

'As the facts are yet to be determined, we are unable to comment further at this stage.'

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 8:11am today (24 September) to reports of a road traffic collision on North Road, Highgate, N6.

'We sent an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer, a motorcycle responder and an advanced paramedic. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.

'We treated a teenager but very sadly, despite our best efforts, she died at the scene.'

Anyone with information has been urged to call 101 quoting CAD1525/24Sept.