people, Francis `Goose' Gosling, has died.

Mr. Gosling, a springboard diver who represented the Island at the Olympic Games in London in 1948 and Helsinki in 1952, passed away suddenly in a car while being driven home from the airport yesterday morning.

Mr. Gosling, 83, coached hundreds of young Bermudians in football, swimming, diving and water polo and was a former member of the Island's Olympic Committee.

He set up the Young Life Christian youth fellowship in 1964 and was made a Member of the British Empire for his work with youth and sport.

He continued his youth work right up to his death and was returning from a Young Life conference in Baltimore yesterday when he collapsed.

Francis Vallis, who was coached in swimming by Mr. Gosling, and who served with him on the Olympic Committee, said last night: "He was a wonderful, wonderful man and a very dear friend.

"He helped me and hundreds of other young boys and girls growing up in Bermuda.

"He was put on this earth to help people, particularly young people and he helped so many young people here. I am very saddened and I know he is going to be greatly missed.

"He was like a big brother to me and so many other young people of all races.

"He gave me a lifestyle and a lead when I was very young and if I accomplished anything in my life, a lot of it is due to Francis `Goose' Gosling.

Olympian `Goose' Gosling dies "He had such a tremendous zeal for life and he helped people of all ages and races.'' Mr. Gosling was President of Gosling Brothers until he was 65, but continued to work as a director until his death.

He set up the Bermuda chapter of Young Life, a worldwide Christian youth movement, in 1964 while he was a football coach.

Mr. Gosling told a Hamilton Rotarians meeting in 1995 that Young Life offered youths a message that society and the media cannot.

"This involves entering into their lives by being where they are, doing what they like to do, organising activities that will draw them together with us,'' he said.

"As friendships are developed, we earn the right to be heard. They learn that we are genuine, we are interested in them and their lives. They learn that we care,'' His niece Nancy Gosling said yesterday: "He was being driven back from the airport this morning by his cousin. It all happened quickly, it wasn't as if he was in pain, he just went.

"He was always really active. He looked after himself and was considered to be in good health. We're all pretty much in shock, but at least he didn't suffer.'' Mr. Gosling, who lived in North Camden, Paget, was single. He has a brother Malcolm and a sister Nea Willits.

Mrs. Gosling said the cause of death was not yet known and funeral arrangements have not yet been made.