Comments on: Tom Sellen (1980-2007)

By: Gavin

Gavin — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:21:17 +0000

Dear Lynda and Derek,
After getting your card I went looking for the report of your terrible loss and found this site. Lynda, Tom could only be your son, he’s just what your son would look like. I never met him but I remember you so well and there you are in his smile!! How tragic to lose a beautiful son so young. My heart goes out to you both and I’ll be sending snail mail, this being just an immediate stopgap.
How life jumbles us all around, sometimes so cruelly. What’s it been, thirty years since we last saw each other Lynda, but you’re as fresh in my memory as though it was yesterday. Such was the impression you made on me and the gratitude I carry for your comradeship and affection.
With loving thoughts to you both and my heartache at what I know is a most terrible and profound loss, all those formative years, so much promise, so much more to follow it seemed and then this intervened, Mercy!
With love from Gavin, Pittsburgh.

By: Becky

Becky — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:04:18 +0000

hey i dont no this tom but i searched sellen on google cuz it my surname 2 n dis came up. sorry to hear that he died. yer i wonder if in related to him.

R.I.P Tom Sellen x

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:09:24 +0000

I have been away from the kiting scene due to work for a couple of months and when I logged back to my club site I saw the news of Toms terrible accident. As a long time kiter there have been many times tha mother nature has reminded us of who is truly in charge.

May God watch over Tom now and bless him with the smoothest winds and the flatest hevenly sands.

Also my families deepest sympathy to Toms family and friends, reading some of the comments on the kiting forums and website Tom was a happy and well liked man, so celibrate his memory well.

By: Paul Waight

Paul Waight — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:24:45 +0000

Although it was years since I had last spoken to Tom, I have some good memories of earlier times spent with him in Bath and this news came as a shock. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

By: Lynda and Derek Sellen

Lynda and Derek Sellen — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:00:18 +0000

We are Tom’s parents and we just want to say thank you to all those who sent us condolences. Thank you particularly to the all those from the kiting community, it was touching to read your contributions when you didn’t know Tom. To Ian - sadly Tom was talking very recently about how he might join a local kite club. To Sarah and Chris - my heart flipped when I read your message. I played with the idea of trying to contact you to ask questions about what happened but don’t think I could be sure I want to hear the answers just yet; maybe one day. But thank you for your words and comfort.
Thank you all.
And take care, all you kiters.
Lynda and Derek

By: Sarah and Chris

Sarah and Chris — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:50:43 +0000

We were much saddened to hear of this lad’s death.We saw him fall whilst we were on holiday,walking on Silecroft beach.Chris went to a nearby house and asked them to ring for an ambulance, other young people had run out to him, so we waited to hear how he was.
One of our sons is his age and has kiting amongst his hobbies, although not with quite as large a kite. We’ve felt very concerned and have been trying to find out how he was. Yesterday we were contacted as witnesses, something which we hoped would never happen. He was obviously doing something which he enjoyed, which will no doubt be some small comfort to his family, we are thinking of them and the accident has not been far from our minds since our holiday.
So sorry

By: Bidello

Bidello — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:26:39 +0000

Just wanted to express my condolences to Tom’s family. Never met Tom myself, just came across the news on some kiting forums….It’s always shocking to learn about somebody’s death, even more shocking when it’s a fellow kiter the one who pass away enjoying his favourite sport…

Will think of you, Tom, when I’m out there in the blue…

By: Ron Garrity

Ron Garrity — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 07:32:13 +0000

I came across this blog via a kitesurfing forum. I just wanted to pass along condolences and best wishes to his family.

RIP Tom

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:40:37 +0000

Tom’s funeral was held in Barrow on Friday (22nd June) with a reception in Coniston. The huge turnout at both is testament to the strong impression Tom made on everyone who got to know him.

There will be another opportunity to pay your respects, share memories and raise a glass of ale or two on Sunday 1st July in the back room at the Bell on Walcot Street in Bath. Turn up from 1pm and feel free to bring a cake or some food to share.

Please pass on these details to anyone who knew Tom and may like to come along.

By: Nick Smith

Nick Smith — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:11:52 +0000

I was really sad and shocked to hear about this. I hadn’t seen him since NYE a few years back but we all had an awesome night that night and he will be missed.

Take care Nick - Flick and I will see you at the Bell next Sunday x

By: Tony

Tony — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 18:32:20 +0000

Tom, you silly sod! Why oh why did you have to do this? Little Tom will his his “rah-rah” and Jess will miss the discos in Room 7. Lin and Lindsy still go one about you setting the logs on fire 3 years later! Me, I’ll just miss you being late for breakfast or cutting the lawn in your slippers.

Tom, you are someone we’ll never forget. You’re already missed. Love to you and your family.

Take care mate.

Tony, Sarah, Tom, Jess, Lin and Lindsy.

By: Alex Fishpool

Alex Fishpool — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:10:16 +0000

Very sorry to hear of this tragic loss, Kitesports are still an extreme sport and occasionally a tragedy occurs which affects family and friends. Our thoughts are with Tom’s family. As a new father i can’t imagine the grief they are feeling now but i hope that some consolation will be felt by the feelings expressed here by those who love the sport and accept the personal consequences of participatiion. Tom’s loss will be felt by all who knew him and by the kiting community at large.

Goodbye Tom.

By: Zppy

Zppy — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 18:17:48 +0000

Sad news. My thoughts and condolencies go out to all his family and friends.

R.I.P. Dude

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:54:16 +0000

I never met Tom but I am writing, as Chair of a newly-formed power kite club further up the Cumbrian coast, to say how sad and shocked all our members (and indeed all of the wider kiting community) are to hear of Tom’s death. We love our sport and are gutted that it has cost him his life.

There have been very, very posts on a kite forum expressing condolences and all of our thoughts are with Tom’s family and friends.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:09:33 +0000

My name is also tom sellen…I heard this on the radio and was shocked to hear my name to be honest! I am very sad to hear what happened, and wish to extend my condolences

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:32:23 +0000

Chris’ article is now online at:
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=511948

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:21:25 +0000

Thanks for the update Nick, have changed the title to reflect this. It should be updated on google soon too.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:13:25 +0000

He was born on 11 December 1980 not 1981 as mentioned in the title.

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:26:20 +0000

He was a good man, it is a great loss to all who knew him.

If anyone has any further comments/thoughts, I will be sure to relay them on to Chris.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:56:48 +0000

He was such a nice guy (with a malicious streak). In other times he would have been a revolutionary.

Well done Ed, now Tom’s top in google - he deserves it.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:33:13 +0000

Hi,
I am writing a piece on Tom’s death.
I have gained quotes from people around Coniston who are sad to hear of the news and wondered if you would like to comment to me.
The email is ulverston [at] nwemail.co.uk.
I hope to hear from you.
Chris