Top British BMX rider dies after jumping backwards into a lake

One of Britain's top BMX stunt riders has died after jumping backwards into a lake.

Beau Forrest, 18, had been out with a group of friends at a local park when he unwittingly dived into shallow water.

He suffered massive head and spinal injuries and lost his four-day fight for life at a specialist hospital following a heart failure.

Beau - who did not drink - was known throughout Europe as a leading talent in urban cycling, a form of pedal biking where riders perform gravity-defying jumps on specially designed trial bikes.

The teen was in peak physical condition at the time of the accident but his injuries, including a broken neck, meant had he survived, he would have been paralysed for life.

A friend said: ‘He jumped into a pool, hit the bottom and broke his neck and damaged his spinal cord badly.

‘He had an operation but suffered a heart attack.’

Beau had met up with a group of his friends at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge, West Midlands.

The group had been sitting around the lake until late at night chatting when the college student decided to leap in.

His friends managed to pull him out and one gave him mouth to mouth resuscitation, which his family say helped save his life at the time.

Beau was rushed to the Russells Hall Hospital in nearby Dudley and later transferred to a specialist unit in Liverpool but doctors were unable to save him.

His devastated family told how he regained consciousness after a tense nine-hour op and told girlfriend, Avalon Southall, 16, he loved her before losing consciousness for the final time.

Speaking from the family home in Brierley Hill, West Midlands, Beau’s father, David Forrest, 45, said: ‘He was a great bloke, everyone who met him loved him.

‘We can’t stop crying, if you came back in 100 years I would still be feeling like this, he was a beautiful lad - really special.

‘He was with his mates reminiscing about old times, he didn’t drink, he didn’t like beer.

‘He said “I am going for a swim” and got up.

‘Nobody saw Beau dive into the pool although, due to the nature of his injuries, we believe he jumped into the shallow water backwards.’

His mother Sharon, 45, added: ‘He loved life, always smiling and he never had a bad word to say about anybody.’ A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said Beau was lying unconscious by the side of the water when they arrived.

She said: ‘Crews immediately started CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation).

‘The teenager had suffered a serious head and neck injury and was transferred to Russells Hall Hospital by ambulance on blue lights whilst receiving further emergency treatment.

‘The paramedic from the response vehicle travelled in the ambulance with the teenager to hospital.’

Since his death ten days ago, tributes have been pouring in from urban cycling fans worldwide, including those from Germany, USA, Poland and Canada.

One message read: ‘From one rider to another, RIP man.

‘Serious amount of respect to this guy, hand on heart; an inspirational street trials rider.

‘RIP Beau, for you are a hero.’

Tributes have also been pouring in from staff at Redhill School, Stourbridge, West Midlands.

Brian Roe, Redhill assistant headteacher, said: ‘The school is shocked and stunned at the news of Beau’s life so tragically cut short at such a young age.

‘Beau left Redhill School in June 2006 and he is remembered with affection by the staff and pupils.

‘He was a popular pupil with lots of friends. He was an excellent communicator who was always ready to support others and his death is a great loss.

‘He has a brother and sister here and many friends and acquaintances. On behalf of Redhill school, I offer my deepest sympathy to his family.’