A HAMPSHIRE girl has died in a car crash while on holiday in America.

Six-year-old Amisha Joshi had dreamed of meeting Mickey Mouse at Disneyworld in Florida.

She and her family, from Hedge End, had been nearing the end of their two-week holiday when a minibus ploughed into their hire car at a junction in Orlando.

Amisha, a pupil at Woodhill School in Botley, suffered serious injuries in the crash and never regained consciousness.

Her mother, Heena, 35, and older sister, Priya, 9, were also injured in the accident and underwent treatment at a hospital in Florida before returning to Britain by air ambulance.

The pair had been receiving treatment at Southampton General Hospital until yesterday, when both were discharged.

News of the tragedy has only just been released by the authorities.

Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend Amisha's funeral at Southampton Crematorium this afternoon.

Tributes were led today by her father, Alpesh, who said the family had been overwhelmed by the messages of sympathy they had received.

"Amisha was a most wonderful girl," said Mr Joshi, 38.

"We have been privileged to have borne and raised such a happy child. All who knew her or met her for even a short time understood her zest for life.

"She did exactly what all children should do - that is to have fun.

"From the moment she was born, she wanted to become a vet and help animals."

Fighting back tears, Mr Joshi described how gregarious Amisha had possessed an ability to communicate way beyond her years, and had loved horse-riding, tennis, gym and swimming.

Although she wanted for nothing, she remained a thoughtful, generous girl who was always thinking of others.

Adored by her family, friends and everyone who knew her, she would always be remembered for her huge dark eyes, dazzling smile, kindness and laughter.

"Amisha was always full of fun and did not know what selfishness meant," said Mr Joshi.

"We have been absolutely inundated with cards and have had hundreds of visitors, but it wasn't because of us.

"Amisha inspired something in people.

"Our family and friends have been our strength through all this."

Mr Joshi also paid tribute to doctors and nurses at Southampton General Hospital, saying: "The staff have been wonderful; it has been far, far more than just doing their job."

The tragedy has shocked members of Southampton's Hindu community.

Naresh Sonchatla, vice-president of the Vedic Society Temple in Northam, said: "The community is in quite a bit of shock over this; they are quite well known in the community.

"I know people have gone to the family's home to pay their respects."

An inquest into Amisha's death was opened and adjourned at Southampton Coroner's Court last week.

Police in Florida said investigations into the cause of the crash were continuing.