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Susan Taylor dies during English Channel charity swim Susan Taylor dies during English Channel charity swim
(about 1 hour later)
A woman has died while trying to swim across the English Channel for charity.A woman has died while trying to swim across the English Channel for charity.
Susan Taylor, who was in her 30s and from Barwell, Leicestershire, died in Boulogne on Sunday after getting into difficulty during her swim. Susan Taylor, 34, from Barwell, Leicestershire, died in Boulogne on Sunday after she "suddenly collapsed" on the final part of the challenge.
On her fundraising page, she said she was doing the 21-mile endurance test to raise money for Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough and Diabetes UK. She was doing the 21-mile (33.8km) endurance test to raise money for Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough and Diabetes UK.
Ms Taylor's sister said on Facebook she had "suddenly collapsed" in the water and was treated in a support boat. Her father, Arthur Wright, said he had lost "the best person in the whole world".
Consular support Mr Wright confirmed an earlier report Ms Taylor had "suddenly collapsed" as she approached the French coast.
She said her sister was then airlifted to hospital, where she died. He revealed his paramedic son David, Ms Taylor's brother, was on the boat at the time of the swim and battled to save her life.
Ms Taylor was swimming under the guidance of the Channel Swimming Association - which officially authorises crossing attempts - when she got into difficulty near the French coast at about 17:30 BST. "David was with her and he was the paramedic, he tried to help. He pulled her on to the boat."
A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are aware of the death of a British national in Boulogne on 14 July. 'Absolute tragedy'
"We are in touch with the family and are providing consular assistance." Mr Wright said his daughter was then airlifted to hospital, where she died.
Ms Taylor was swimming under the guidance of the Channel Swimming Association - which officially authorises crossing attempts - when she got into difficulty near the French coast at about 17:30 local time.
A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed it was providing her family with consular assistance.
Ms Taylor's neighbour David Kitto said: "I'm just gobsmacked. She was a truly lovely girl and this is an absolute tragedy.Ms Taylor's neighbour David Kitto said: "I'm just gobsmacked. She was a truly lovely girl and this is an absolute tragedy.
'Wonderful woman'
"She was a confident person anyway. She had a real presence about her. She was not a shrinking violet but nor was she hogging the front pages all the time."She was a confident person anyway. She had a real presence about her. She was not a shrinking violet but nor was she hogging the front pages all the time.
"She was a very good swimmer; you used to see her going up and down in the fast lane at the pool and all the staff there knew her and got to know what she was doing.""She was a very good swimmer; you used to see her going up and down in the fast lane at the pool and all the staff there knew her and got to know what she was doing."
Safety record
She had raised more than £3,000 in sponsorship for the 21-mile swim across the English Channel, which is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.She had raised more than £3,000 in sponsorship for the 21-mile swim across the English Channel, which is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
Rainbows Hospice opened in 1994 and is dedicated to children and young people.Rainbows Hospice opened in 1994 and is dedicated to children and young people.
Its chief executive Geoff Ellis said: "Susan was a wonderful woman who would do anything for anybody. She has been a much loved ambassador at Rainbows for over two years, helping out at events and tirelessly fundraising for us.Its chief executive Geoff Ellis said: "Susan was a wonderful woman who would do anything for anybody. She has been a much loved ambassador at Rainbows for over two years, helping out at events and tirelessly fundraising for us.
"She was more than an ambassador; she was part of the Rainbows family.""She was more than an ambassador; she was part of the Rainbows family."
Ms Taylor's sister asked well wishers to donate to her online fundraising page.
Irish swimmer Paraic Casey, 45, died while attempting to swim the Channel in July 2012.Irish swimmer Paraic Casey, 45, died while attempting to swim the Channel in July 2012.
A short statement from the Channel Swimming Association described Mrs Taylor's death as "a tragic loss under valiant circumstances" but said they had been asked by the family not to comment further.
Kevin Murphy, secretary of the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation, which also authorises and supports attempts, said: "It's an extreme sport. We know it's an extreme sport but its safety record is second to none.
"In nearly 150 years there have been only half a dozen fatalities."