British woman dies in attempt to swim the English Channel LONDON - British officials say a British woman has died while trying to swim the English Channel as part of a charity drive. Susan Taylor died Sunday evening during a cross-Channel attempt when she got into trouble near the French coast. A Facebook page set up to promote her swim for a hospice charity and a diabetes charity said she collapsed in the water and was airlifted to a French hospital where she died. The foreign office confirmed the death Monday. British officials say they are in touch with the woman's family and are providing assistance. She was reported to be in her 30s.