A “kind and considerate family man” from Bowdon has died after getting into difficulties during a triathlon.
Andrew Phillips, 56, was taking part in the Blenheim Palace Triathlon on May 28th when other swimmers noticed he was struggling to stay afloat during the lake swim element of the three-part competition.
An inquest into his death has now opened into his death at Oxford Coroner’s Court.
Senior coroner Darren Salter said that Andrew, a married chartered surveyor, was pulled out of the water at around 12.05pm.
Attempts were made to resuscitate him but he never regained consciousness and died three days later, at 2.30am on May 31th.
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 full inquest will take place on November 1.
A tribute on Bowdon RUFC’s website said that Andy, originally from Wales, had been an active member of the club since moving to Hale in the early 90s.
The statement read: “He had a love of life and a huge circle of friends and acquaintances across the Hale area and within the Manchester Business community. Since retiring from rugby he took up cycling and was an active cyclist with his old Bowdon Rugby friends.
“He was a kind and considerate family man, had a great sense of humour, always a smile on his face, a true gentleman he will be sadly missed by his friends at Bowdon RUFC and the wider community.
“Our deepest and sincere condolences go out to Amanda, Seb, Anna and the rest of his family both in Leamington Spa and Cardiff.”
Andy’s funeral will be held at St Peter’s in Hale at 2pm on Thursday 23rd June, and afterwards at Bowdon RUFC.
A JustGiving page has been set up in his memory here to raise money for the junior section at Bowdon RUFC.
