Family and jazz world 'reeling' as young star dies of heart attack

Exceptional: Richard Turner had just released an album

A jazz musician has died after suffering a heart attack as he swam in an open-air pool.

Lifeguards desperately tried to save Richard Turner, 27, who played with Indie band Friendly Fires, when he collapsed in the water at Brockwell Lido in Herne Hill.

His best friend Eddy Hackett said: "Richard is a very strong swimmer and the lifeguards could see something was wrong. They immediately pulled him out of the water and did their best to save his life. Three ambulances arrived within four minutes and they did everything they could."

The talented musician and composer, described by his family as being in "peak physical condition" was taken to King's College Hospital where he died. Mr Turner's brother Andy, 24, said his family and friends had been left reeling by the death, last Thursday. He had just completed the Great North swim and trained almost every day.

Andy Turner said: "I last saw my brother the Monday before he died. We had just had an amazing weekend swimming in the sea in Dorset.

"Rich was a really sociable guy and an amazing musician. Everyone was just bowled over by his talent."

He had just released an album with his own band Round Trip and also performed with Friendly Fires, who were nominated for a Mercury Prize and the South Bank show awards.

The band said in a statement: "Rich played trumpet in our live gigs on and off for three years. He was an exceptional musician and his contributions to our shows will be hugely missed." Mr Turner, who was single and lived with friends in Camberwell, ran a renowned jazz gig at the Con Cellar Bar in Camden.

His brother said: "He started from nothing and built it into one of the premier jazz events in the whole of London. I don't think he ever took a penny in profit. It was a showcase for emerging talent in the UK jazz scene."

Nick Smart, thead of jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, said: "A hugely talented musician and much-loved personality has been taken from the jazz community and our condolences go out to his family and friends."

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