The death of keen swimmer Robert Wass was a tragic accident, said coroner Dr Malcolm Weir at a Chelmsford inquest.

Mr Wass, 76, of Park Drive, Braintree, was a member of Black Notley Community Association and regularly used its outdoor pool with friends.

On the day of his death, in May this year, Mr Wass went to the pool with Reginald Nice.

"He swam practically every day. He was such a good swimmer," said Mr Nice.

"He dived in and said that it was just like a hot bath. He had done a couple of lengths. It all happened in a couple of minutes.

"I found him lying on the bottom of the pool and I swam across and pulled him over the side."

Mr Wass was taken to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, where he never regained consciousness.

Dr Salam Al-Sam, who conducted a post-mortem examination on Mr Wass, said that he had died from adult respiratory distress syndrome due to a near-drowning state.

He said that there was evidence of some problems with his heart, but no more than in anyone else of his age.

Summing up, Dr Weir, said: "To all extents and purposes, he drowned, but what made him sink to the bottom is not exactly clear."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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