Superfit British schoolgirl, 13, drowned in a swimming pool at Florida resort after suffering a suspected epileptic seizure, inquest hears

A British schoolgirl who died after being found in a pool at Discovery Cove in Florida suffered a suspected epileptic seizure before drowning, an inquest heard today.

Anna Beaumont, 13, from Cardiff, was found unconscious in the water on a family half-term holiday last month and pronounced dead in hospital three days later.

The inquest in Pontypridd heard Anna had been at the popular resort in Orlando on May 28 when her father Peter heard the lifeguard's whistle just after 10.30am.

The hearing was told that Mr Beaumont realised it was Anna who was in trouble and rushed to the scene where lifeguards were attempting to resuscitate her. She was taken to Orlando's Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children but died on May 31 at 5.22pm.

The court heard a port-mortem examination was carried at the hospital - with the cause of death given as drowning and seizure disorder, another term for epilepsy.

Patricia Morgan, area coroner for South Wales Central, said a date would be set for a full inquest once further investigations into the circumstances around Anna's death and her past medical history had been completed.

The coroner said this may take some time given her officer will need to get information from authorities in Florida. 'I wish to take this opportunity to express my condolences to Anna's family at this sad time,' the coroner told the court.

Anna was a superfit cyclist like her Mr Beaumont who trains triathletes - and had raised £900 for the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales with an Ironman ride next to him.

Mr Beaumont, her mother Elizabeth and younger brother Jake, from the St Fagans area of Cardiff, said in a statement after her death: 'Anna was a beautiful soul who has been taken from us in a tragic accident. 

'We are devastated by her loss, but she will never be forgotten. We would like to thank the emergency response teams and hospital staff in Orlando who tried so hard to save Anna's life.'

Anna was also described as a talented member of a local rowing club and had a keen interest in sports along with the rest of her family. 

Colleagues of Mrs Beaumont, who works at Cardiff University, were described as devastated by the death.

Trevor Wing, chairman of Llandaff rowing club, said Anna was 'a keen rower who had been training hard all winter and was enjoying the recent water sessions'.

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

'All the junior section and the rowing club wish to express their heartfelt condolences to Anna's family.'

Anna attended Radyr Comprehensive where the headteacher Andrew Williams called Anna 'a cherished member of our school family'.

Mr Williams: '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.'

In an email to parents, the school said it would be briefing staff on how best to support pupils in the coming weeks after the loss of the year 8 pupil.

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

Regarding the death, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: '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.

In a statement, Orange County Sheriff's Office 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.'

The inquest was adjourned.