A triathlete from Bowdon died after getting into difficulties during an event, a coroner’s court heard.

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

Opening the inquest into Mr Phillips's death at Oxford Coroner's Court, senior coroner Darren Salter said he was pulled out of the water at around 12.05pm.

Attempts were made to resuscitate him, but he died three days later.

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 senior coroner said Mr Phillips was a married chartered surveyor.

The inquest will take place on November 1.