Pulled from the water by friends

The inquest was told strong swimmer Dominic had challenged a friend to see how many lengths they could do underwater

Dominic could typically manage five, but stopped after just two.

He was spotted motionless in the water and pulled from the pool by friends, who immediately started CPR, with an ambulance called shortly before 3.30am.

Others, said to be “hysterical”, rushed to fetch Dominic’s father, who said: “I assumed calm, old dad will find nothing much to worry about.

“I hurried there and quickly realised it was serious and took over resuscitation. He showed no signs of life at any point.”

Paramedics arrived after seven minutes and found a weak pulse, before taking Dominic to the William Harvey Hospital.

Specialists travelled to Ashford from King’s College Hospital in London to help deliver treatment, but his condition never improved and he died at 7.24pm, two hours after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

The hearing was told Dominic had carried out breathing exercises before going underwater to allow him to stay submerged for longer - a technique he had used since the age of 11.

Examining the evidence, and being aware of the advice of medical experts engaged by Dominic’s family, pathologist Dr Olaf Biedrzycki said: “On the balance of probability, there probably was an underlying cardiac problem.”

Assistant coroner Scott Matthewson ruled his death was a “primary cardiac event”.

He said: “Dominic died after suffering a cardiac arrest as a result of an undiagnosed disorder while swimming.”

He recorded the death as from natural causes.