Susan Taylor

 34-year-old Susan Taylor has died after she ran into difficulties while trying to swim the English Channel

One mile from safety: Susan Taylor who died during a charity swim across the English Channel

The friends and family of tragic charity swimmer Susan Taylor were following her progress with live updates when they realised something had gone horribly wrong.

Mrs Taylor's support team, which included her paramedic brother David, were posting Facebook updates, including pictures, as she attempted the swim.

Sponsors were also able to chart her progress with a GPS mapping system which showed where Mrs Taylor was in the English Channel through a series of orange dots.

Just after midday yesterday, her team posted a final update with a picture of Mrs Taylor in the water.

It said: "This is another photo of Susan from earlier today. She has done so well, won't be long now we hope. Please all think positive for her."

An earlier post read: "Thanks for the messages of support - keep them coming! Just coming up to eleven hours of swimming now! Susan is digging deep and working really hard!"

At one point, the weather appeared to be hampering the brave swimmer. A post read: "8 hours swimming! It has started raining and the going is getting tough for Susan. Approx 16.5 miles done! Could do with some messages to pass to Susan!"

But the trail stopped just one mile short of the French coast as the 34-year-old from Leicestershire got into difficulty.

Supporters who were following Mrs Taylor's progress through a tracker link on her Facebook page began to leave concerned messages when the updates stopped and the boat appeared to travel off course.

One message said: "Any news Susan Taylor? Can't seem to get any track since 6.30?"

Another read: "Really hope your ok susan, everyone is thinking about you and hoping your safe!! please let us no somebody (sic)."

As news of her death emerged, donations to Mrs Taylor's Virgin Money Giving fundraising page, where she said she was taking on a challenge "tougher than Everest", reached more than £13,000.

Despite the efforts of her brother David to save her life, Mrs Taylor was taken to hospital in nearby Boulogne-sur-Mer where she was later pronounced dead.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/susan-taylors-friends-family-were-2055196#ixzz37RjF3LJq 
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