Girl, 10, tragically killed 'by excitement' after going into cardiac arrest on water slide

A little girl died after the excitement of going down a water slide threw her heartbeat off - sending her into cardiac arrest.

London Eisenbeis, 10, tragically died following an incident on a 270ft-long ride at Zehnder's Splash Village in Michigan, USA.

The youngster was said to be thrilled she was finally tall enough to go on the slide - the park's biggest - in February 2018.

But this excitement turned out to be fatal, according to reports - as London's animated state triggered an unknown heart condition.

The four-storey slide knocked her heartbeat into an abnormal rhythm, sending her into cardiac arrest on the way down.

Cat lover London, from Grand Blanc, was rushed to hospital and placed on life support but sadly died nine days later.

It was then that doctors discovered the talented gymnast had been living with Long QT syndrome, which can cause sudden death.

Mum Tina has now spoken about the tragedy and her campaign to raise awareness about hidden heart conditions.

She told The Sun: "London looked at her dad, gave two thumbs up and smiled, went down the slide and came out in cardiac arrest.

"The excitement threw her rhythm.

"It was an awful thing. There were no signs of the condition, she just dropped."

Tine had been on the other side of the sizeable park while London went on the ride, first realising something was wrong when she heard a whistle.

A passer-by then told her someone had drowned so she got nervous and tried to call husband Jerry - who didn't have his phone on him.

This prompted Tina to go and investigate for herself, which is when she was confronted with the devastating sight.

She added: "[Jerry] was looking down and there were sheets up and I knew it was one of my kids."

A public tribute posted online at the time of London's funeral said: "She loved Instagram [,] loved cats and had a soft spot in her heart for the elderly.

"She enjoyed snowboarding and swimming.

"London was larger than life, loved having fun, was known for inspirational quotes, had an infinite amount of love to give and was very family oriented."

Tina and Jerry launched the non-profit London Strong Foundation in the aftermath of their daughter's death.

This foundation raises money for defibrillators to be placed in local communities - a device which the parents claim could have saved London's life.

Tine has also become an instructor for the American Heart Association, reports MailOnline.

She said: "You have to respond, you don't have time to wait.

"I think people are afraid of defibrillators, but they're very easy to use. They're what is needed to bring back the rhythm."

London was taken to a children's hospital after the tragic incident at the water park, where Tina and Jerry took turns to stay at her side.

They were told their daughter had suffered brain damage and sadly, after nine days, she went into cardiac arrest again and died.

London was then laid to rest in the dress she would have worn at her school's dad-daughter dance, which was held the very same day as her funeral

In a direct message to other parents, Tina said: "You never think it's going to happen to you and this is not a club you want to be part of.

"Cherish every moment you have with your family."

Long QT syndrome is an inherited heart problem that affects how your heart beats, according to the NHS.

Information online states that, in some people, the condition can cause fainting or fits (seizures).

The description adds that the heart usually returns to its normal rhythm after it's been beating abnormally.

But if it continues to beat abnormally and is not treated in time with a defibrillator, the heart will stop pumping and the person will die.