The 13-year-old girl who was found dead in a pool at Discovery Cove theme park in Orlando, Florida, was a “talented” athlete with a charitable heart and been on vacation with her family from the United Kingdom, according to her loved ones.
Anna Beaumont, who was found unresponsive at the Florida theme park on Tuesday, was pronounced dead at the hospital the following day from what authorities said was likely an accidental drowning.
Her loved ones remembered her as a “talented” member of a local rowing club and a devoted athlete. She had raised nearly $1,150 for a children’s hospital ahead of an Ironman ride she was set to do with her dad, Pete, who trains triathletes, according to The Sun.
Trevor Wing, the chairman of the Llandaff rowing club, described Anna as “a keen rower who had been training hard all winter and was enjoying the recent water sessions.”
“She was a lovely and talented young lady and will be greatly missed,” he added. “All the junior section and the rowing club wish to express their heartfelt condolences to Anna’s family.”
“This is just so tragic. Like any family, they were very excited by the holiday. You never dream of coming home without a child,” a friend of Anna’s told the outlet.
Andrew Williams, the headteacher of Radyr Comprehensive, where Anna went to school, called her a “cherished member” of the community.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The teen’s parents, Peter and Elizabeth, and her brother Jake have returned from the tragic vacation to their home in Cardiff . The UK’s Foreign Office says it is providing “consular support” for the family.
Orange County deputies say they are still investigating this incident.
Discovery Cove, the sister park of SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando, allows guests to swim with dolphins and snorkel with thousands of tropical fish in a tropical environment, according to its website.
