The 13-year-old girl who died after being found unresponsive in a pool at an American holiday park was a young athlete who had raised hundreds of pounds for charity, The Telegraph can reveal.
Anna Beaumont, from Wales, was taken to hospital from Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida – a resort popular with tourists looking to swim with dolphins – on Tuesday last week but died the next day.
The medical examiner’s office in Orlando said on Thursday that she had drowned accidentally, it was reported.
A keen cyclist, Anna took on an Ironman bike ride during lockdown in an effort to raise money for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity.
She finished her challenge in 16 days, with 13.5 hrs in the saddle, and completed the task on the final day with a 30 km road ride. She raised nearly £900 for the charity.
At the time, Anna wrote on a fundraising page that the youngster was “inspired” by seeing her father complete Ironman Copenhagen.
She said: ‘‘I was inspired by seeing my Dad complete Ironman Copenhagen and want to support Noah’s Ark at a time when the focus is on Covid-19 but many children still need help for other reasons.’”
‘Cherished member of the school’
In a statement shared with the BBC, Andrew Williams, head teacher at Anna’s school, Radyr Comprehensive, said she was a “cherished member” of the school family.
She said: “The very thought of losing a child is an unimaginable journey and I know I speak on behalf of the whole school community when I say that our thoughts are with Anna’s family as they try to come to terms with their loss.
“Anna was a cherished member of our school family, and her absence will be profoundly felt by pupils, staff and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
“Her spirit, kindness and presence touched so many lives.”
Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive resort and sister park of SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando.
The company released a statement to local media, which said: “Our staff responded to an emergency involving a guest yesterday [May 28].
“Our team provided care and contacted Orange County Fire & Rescue. When emergency personnel arrived, they took over care and transported the guest to a nearby hospital.
“Out of respect for privacy of our guests, we do not provide any health information. Our thoughts are with this family.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said she was hospitalised last Tuesday, but died the next day.
In a statement, the police said: “We are sorry to report that on May 29 2024, 13-year-old Anna Beaumont was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
“Any information about the cause and manner of her death will need to come from the Medical Examiner’s Office.”
Her parents and younger brother have reportedly had to make the trip back from the US to Cardiff without her.
A friend said: ‘This is just so tragic. Like any family they were very excited by the holiday. You never dream of coming home without a child.’
Trevor Wing, the chairman of Llandaff rowing club where Anna was a member, said she was “a keen rower”.
“She was a lovely and talented young lady and will be greatly missed,” he said.
“All the junior section and the rowing club wish to express their heartfelt condolences to Anna’s family.”
It comes after a fellow pupil of the Radyr Comprehensive, Aryan Ghoniya, 13, drowned in the River Taff while playing with friends two years ago.
Aryan, known as the “little Professor” to his family, was found in the waters 55 minutes later by emergency services
Aryan was very “bright” and had a following on TikTok after posting a video naming 109 countries which gained more than a million hits.
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