Tributes Schools ‘devastated’ at news of teacher’s death
THE family of a Cheltenham man killed in a water sport accident have said they are “completely heartbroken”.
Simon Flynn lived in Charlton Kings, from where he ran a children’s tuition business. He had previously taught at King’s School and Kingsholm Primary School in Gloucester.
The 42-year-old died after getting caught by the tide and boat moorings near a Cornwall beach on Monday, August 31. It happened while he was paddleboarding in the estuary between Padstow and Rock.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were contacted by the coastguard at around 1.55pm on Monday 31 August following reports that a man had got into difficulty while paddleboarding with friends in the estuary between Padstow and Rock.”
They added: “Sadly, despite CPR being attempted, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
His family confirmed the tragedy in a statement, saying: “Simon was a confident and experienced water sport enthusiast who loved holidays on the British coast. His family, girlfriend and friends are completely heartbroken by his death, but know he would be humbled by the numerous, incredible tributes on social media.
“Simon was described by so many as incredibly kind, generous, humorous, thoughtful, caring, and above all a true inspiration to all his pupils, who respected and loved him dearly.
“We’d like to thank the emergency services for their efforts to save him and also to thank everyone for their wonderful messages of support.
“We hope this statement clarifies the situation and as a family we ask for our privacy to be respected at this deeply difficult time.”
It comes after King’s School and Kingsholm Primary School both paid tribute to Simon in messages sent to parents of their pupils.
In an email sent to parents by King’s School, the school said: “The junior school team were extremely saddened to hear the devastating news of the passing of Simon Flynn in a paddleboard incident.
“He was a very special, dynamic, vibrant and inspirational teacher. He will be sorely missed. Just being with him was like being with a bundle of fun.”
Adding “we all had a very soft spot for Simon”, the school said it will be “liaising closely with Winston’s Wish, the School Chaplaincy Team and
Dean Stephen Lake and his team who have all been very supportive”.
A spokesman for the city centre school, which Mr Flynn left last year, added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Simon’s family, friends and colleagues after this tragic accident.
“Simon had continued to offer great support to our junior school pupils and he will truly be missed as a kind, caring and dynamic teacher who inspired many of us by his example.”
Mr Flynn also taught at Kingsholm Primary School until two years ago. In a letter to parents, headteacher Matt Ferris said: “With enormous sadness I am writing to inform you that Mr Flynn died in a tragic accident while in Cornwall on holiday.
“Many of you will have your own fond memories of Mr Flynn, who was a larger-than-life character, full of fun and compassion. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and those close to him at this difficult time.”
On a Facebook page for Mr Flynn’s business, called The Cotswold Tutor, his sisters appeared to post a comment on the accident and to pay tribute.
It read: “It is with immeasurable sadness that we, Simon’s family, must announce that he tragically passed away in a freak accident while having the time of his life in Cornwall. He loved his job, he loved working and developing his students and for this we thank you all for supporting him.”
Simon was described by so many as incredibly kind, generous, humorous, thoughtful, caring, and above all a true inspiration to all his pupils, who respected and loved him dearly Flynn family statement