Heartbreak for family of British schoolgirl, 13, who died after being found in swimming pool at Florida resort after they are forced to fly home without her – as tributes are paid to ‘talented’ young rower who ‘touched so many lives’

The heartbroken family of a 13-year-old British schoolgirl and talented rower who died following an incident in a Florida the theme park swimming pool have flown to Wales without her.

Anna Beaumont, 13, was found unconscious in the water at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Tuesday, May 28 around 11:25 a.m. She was pronounced dead in hospital the next day.

A week after Anna’s tragic death, her parents Peter and Elizabeth and younger brother Jake had to make the painful journey back from the US to Cardiff without her.

A family friend said last night: ‘This is just so tragic. Like any family, they were very excited about the holiday. You never dream of coming home without a child.’

The The Florida medical examiner’s office has said the teen’s death was accidental and the cause was drowning.

Orange County police have said the investigation is still ongoing. Once her body is released by the coroner, she can be flown home to Britain.

The Beaumonts spent half term last week on a dream holiday to Florida, but disaster struck early in their break.

Anna Beaumont, 13, pictured with her mother Elizabeth, who works at Cardiff University

Anna was a cyclist, like her father Peter (pictured with Anna), who trains triathletes and had raised £900 for Noah’s Ark children’s hospital with an Ironman ride alongside her father

Anna was also a ‘talented’ member of a local rowing club and, like the rest of her family, had a keen interest in sports

Anna Beaumont, described as super fit, was found unconscious in Orlando’s Discovery Cove (pictured)

Anna was a cyclist like her father, who trains triathletes, and had raised £900 for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital with an Ironman ride alongside her father.

Recently, the 13-year-old proudly posed with her bike at the finish line.

She was also a ‘talented’ member of a local rowing club and, like the rest of her family, had a keen interest in sports.

Colleagues of her mother Elizabeth, who works at Cardiff University, were described as devastated by her loss.

Trevor Wing, chairman of Llandaff rowing club, said Anna was ‘a keen rower who had trained hard all winter and enjoyed the recent water sessions’.

He added: “She was a lovely and talented young lady and will be greatly missed.

‘The entire junior department and the rowing club would like to express their sincere condolences to Anna’s family.’

Staff at her school in Radyr, Cardiff, comfort classmates today, just two years after fellow pupil Aryan Ghoniya, 13, disappeared into the River Taff while playing with friends.

Both attended Radyr Comprehensive, where headteacher Andrew Williams called Anna ‘a much-loved member of our school family’.

Mr Williams said: ‘The very thought of losing a child is an unimaginable journey and I know I speak on behalf of the entire school community when I say our thoughts are with Anna’s family as they try to come to terms with their loss.

“Anna was a much-loved member of our school family and her absence will be deeply felt by the students, staff and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her spirit, kindness and presence touched so many lives.”

In an email to parents, the school said it would update staff on how to best support students in the coming weeks following the loss of the Year 8 student.

He urged them to “listen and encourage them to talk about their feelings.”

Regarding the death in Florida, a State Department spokesperson said: “We are in contact with the family following the death of a child in the United States and are providing consular support at this difficult time.”

Anna Beaumont, 13, died the day after she was found in Discovery Cove

Anna was found unconscious at the Discovery Cove resort in Florida last Tuesday (pictured) and died in hospital the next day

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

In a statement, police said: ‘We regret to report that on May 29, 2024, 13-year-old Anna Beaumont was pronounced deceased in hospital. All information regarding the cause and manner of death must come from the Office of the Medical Examiner.”

A spokesperson for the venue stated that “staff responded to an emergency involving a guest” and contacted Orange County Fire & Rescue.

‘When emergency services arrived, they took over and took the guest to a nearby hospital. Our thoughts are with this family and out of respect for their privacy we will have no further comment,” the spokesperson said.