A 24-year-old who died after being pulled out of a swimming pool by friends had been playing a game to see how long he could hold his breath, an inquest has heard.

Police and ambulance crews were called to Dominic Hamlyn’s family home in Crundale, near Canterbury and Ashford, in the early hours of July 28.

The Cambridge University graduate had been at his youngest brother’s 21st birthday party, where he had given a 15-minute speech to guests, before going for a swim in the pool with friends.

Assistant coroner Sonia Hayes told an inquest opening at the Archbishop’s Palace today that Dominic had entered a competition to see who could hold their breath under water the longest.

Friends quickly noticed he was unresponsive and pulled him out of the water.

Paramedics were called and found a weak pulse before taking him to the William Harvey Hospital where he was treated throughout the day.

They were unable to save him, and he died just before 7.30pm.

A post-mortem gave the cause of death as multiple organ failure, with acute respiratory distress syndrome and drowning given as contributing factors.

Dominic's devastated father Peter Hamlyn, a world-famous neurosurgeon, previously described the agony of losing his "beautiful, beautiful boy".

He had started performing CPR on his son after he was pulled from the pool.

Mr Hamlyn said: “Why did he die? He was a superb athlete competing in both rugby and rowing at Cambridge.

“We are broken. If Dominic is to be remembered it is as a hero and one of the world’s helpers.”

Peter Roberts, headmaster of The King’s School, also paid tribute to former pupil Dominic.

He said: “Everyone at King’s shares the shock and deep sense of grief at the tragic loss of such a talented and charming young man as Dominic.

“He shone in the classroom, on the sports pitch and in every social context by the brightness of his mind and his charismatic personality.

“Our hearts and support go out to his parents, brothers and family.”

After school, Dominic went on to study at UCL in London, from which he graduated with a first class degree in science and engineering in 2017.

'We are broken. If Dominic is to be remembered it is as a hero and one of the world’s helpers' - Peter Hamlyn

The accomplished scholar then studied for a Master of Philosophy at Cambridge University’s prestigious Judge Business School.

Outside of his studies, Dominic helped found an online retail business, could speak Spanish and was a passionate rugby player.

He represented UCL’s 1st XV for three years, and was elected as the university’s sports officer in his final year.

In 2014, he ran the London Marathon in aid of The Brain & Spine Foundation - for which he managed to raise almost £5,700.

On his fundraising page, he said he was inspired by the number of people in Crundale who have been affected by neurological and spinal conditions, as well as the death of his baby cousin, Maria.

He was also motivated after seeing his father and patient Michael Watson - a former boxing champion - walk the route together.

Dominic wrote: “It took them six days and I swore when I was old enough I would run it; in the words of Michael, ‘for the benefit of others less fortunate than me’.”

Mr Watson, whose life was saved by Mr Hamlyn in 1991, said: “I loved him and knew him since he was a little boy.

"I’m praying for Peter and his family.

"I was so touched that he was inspired to run the London Marathon because of me and help improve the lives of others’.”

The full inquest into Dominic's death was adjourned to take place at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court on December 4.

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