Neil Cole, 18, who had a passion for surfing and extreme sports Picture Ref: 72704-89THE family of teenage skateboarder Neil Cole say he died doing what he loved.

The popular 18-year-old, of Harcourt Road, Ferndale, died in hospital three days after suffering serious head injuries in a high-speed long board accident.

His sister Elly, 20, said Neil, who never regained consciousness, was not wearing a helmet so is urging others to don protective headgear.

"We want the whole agenda of the importance of wearing helmets brought to the fore," she said.

"My brother suffered the injury because he was not wearing a helmet.

"I want people to ignore the coolness factor of not wearing one because it is just not worth it.

"If his death can teach a few others then it won't have been such a tragic waste."

The teenager was rushed to the Royal Cornwall Hospital shortly after noon on Saturday after falling from his long board while travelling downhill between Porth and Trevelgue, near New-quay, Cornwall.

His family rushed to his bedside and were with him when he died at about 7.35pm on Tuesday night.

In a statement they said: "Neil was a free spirit, who was loved by so many people.

"We want to thank all the staff in the Intensive Care Unit, the Cornwall air Ambulance, and Police Inspector Tim Sargent for their care and support and everyone from home and here who has shown so much love.

"There won't be enough paper to write all the good things that his 18 years have given us."

They are now planning to have his body cremated in Cornwall and his ashes scattered on the Newquay coastline.

A memorial service will also be held in Swindon.

"All the family and a few friends were down here," said Elly.

"His death has come as a complete shock but he died doing what he loved."

The teenager, who worked at the Just Add Water surf shop in the Brunel Centre until March, had travelled to the popular surf spot with his housemates to take part in the annual Run To The Sun event.

Organisers of the three-day extravaganza say Neil, who had a passion for extreme sports, lost control while travelling down a steep hill and banged his head on the road.

Last year the teenager, who was also a barman at the Victoria pub in Old Town, won the south west regional heats of the Walkabout bar's Beach Babes and Surf Dudes contest.

"He was just a great brother," said Elly.

"He was always at the end of the line and when I was in a temper I would phone him.

"He was caring and close to his family, even though he would never let you know it."

Neil was born in Lincoln and moved to Baydon, near Marlbor-ough with his parents, Allan and Jan, in 1993.

After attending Baydon Primary School, he studied at St John's School in Marlborough.

He then joined the Duke of York military school in Dover.

Neil also studied at New College, in Swindon.

He moved to Swindon about a year ago and was working at Nationwide at the time of his death.

He also leaves another sister Debby, 35, of Essex, and brother Iain, 32, who lives in Cyprus.

Tributes pour in

TRIBUTES have flooded in for the 18-year-old skateboarder.

In a written statement friends Gem, Vicky, Shonny and Tommy said: "When we think about growing up with Neil it makes us smile. He was always a laugh and full of spirit.

"He grew to be like a brother to each of us and will be greatly missed."

Friends Will Day and Amy Hopkinson also paid tribute.

They said: "He was a really lovely guy.

"He was one of those blokes who would put a smile on people's faces.

"He had a heart of gold and would try to do everything for anybody."

Mark Rees, the manager of Just Add Water, in the Brunel Centre, said Neil breathed life into the surf shop.

"There was never a time when he didn't have that cheeky smile on his face," he said.

"Neil was lucky that his hobby was also his job, and the skaters of Swindon always liked to be seen with Neil.

"In the store, even my five-year-old daughter knew him as the skater boy.

"I will remember Neil as someone who lived his life to the full, enjoying more things in 18 years than most of us will in a full lifetime."

On Tuesday night more than 30 people paid their last respects at the Walkabout bar in the town centre.

Manager Stuart Bonuda, 24, said: "He was a colourful, happy character and used to hang about here with his mates."

Up until his death, Neil was working in administration for Nationwide in Swindon.

Personnel manager Ellen Fleming said: "Neil was a very popular and sociable young man who will be sadly missed by his colleagues.

He had temped with us since January.

"Our heartfelt sympathy goes to his family and friends."

Ben Payne