AN Amblecote teenager said a last goodbye to his girlfriend just hours before horrific injuries claimed his life.

Brave Beau Forrest, aged 18, was badly hurt during an incident in Mary Stevens Park, when he was found unconscious by friends in the lake at the Norton park during the early hours of Wednesday June 18.

The college student, from Hern Road, who suffered massive damage to his head and neck, lost his four day fight for life at a specialist hospital in Liverpool last Saturday (June 21), following a heart failure.

His devastated family told how he regained consciousness after a nine hour operation and told girlfriend, Avalon Southall, aged 15, he loved her before he went to sleep for the final time.

Beau's father, David Forrest, aged 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."

Beau's mother Sharon, 45, said: "He loved life, always smiling and he never had a bad word to say about anybody."

Beau was known throughout the UK as a top talent in urban cycling, a form of pedal biking where riders perform gravity defying jumps on specially designed trial bikes.

He 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.

Mystery surrounds how he came to be in the lake after meeting a group of friends in the Stourbridge park.

David said: "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, his family believe he jumped into the shallow water backwards.

His friends pulled him from the lake and gave mouth to mouth resuscitation, actions his family say saved his life at the time.

Tributes have been pouring in for the popular former Redhill School pupil.

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."

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