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Brit girl, 13, dies on family holiday in Florida

02 June 2024 , 10:48
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The girl was found unresponsive in a pool at Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida
The girl was found unresponsive in a pool at Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida

A British girl has died while on a family holiday in the US.

Anna Beaumont, 13, was found unresponsive in a pool at Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida, and the youngster, from Cardiff, died the next day despite heroic efforts by paramedics and doctors.

In a statement, 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."

Anna attended Radyr Comprehensive in the northwest of Cardiff and the headteacher called the teenager "a cherished member of our school family". Andrew Williams, headteacher, 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."

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In an email to parents, the school said it would be briefing staff on how best to support pupils in the coming weeks, and urged them to "listen and encourage them to talk about their feelings".

A Foreign Office spokesperson told BBC: “We are in touch with the family following the death of a child in the United States, and are providing consular support during this difficult time."

Discovery Cove describes itself as an "all-inclusive day resort" on its website, and says it offers opportunities to swim with dolphins and snorkel among tropical fish. It is a sister park of SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando.

A spokesperson for the site stated that its "staff responded to an emergency involving a guest" and that they contacted Orange County Fire & Rescue.

"When emergency personnel arrived, they took over care and transported the guest to a nearby hospital. Our thoughts are with this family, and out of respect for their privacy, we won’t be commenting further," the spokesperson told WESH. The investigation into Anna's death continues.

Bradley Jolly

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