A triathlete died after getting into difficulties during the lake swim, a coroner’s court heard.

Andrew Phillips, 56, was taking part in the triathlon on May 28 when other swimmers noticed he was struggling to stay afloat during the lake swim element of the three-part competition.

Opening the inquest into the Greater Manchester man’s death, senior coroner Darren Salter said he was pulled out of the water at around 12.05pm. Attempts were made to resuscitate him.

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Mr Phillips died three days later, at 2.30am on May 31. The cause of death was given as hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, meaning a lack of oxygen to the brain, and cardiac arrest. Drowning was the secondary cause of death.

The coroner said Mr Phillips was a married chartered surveyor who lived in Bowdon, Altrincham.

The full inquest will take place on November 1.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward