Triathlete who drowned during his first competition ‘may have had an epileptic fit while in the water’
The athlete entered the open water for a 750m swim and his lifeless body was not discovered until two days later
A TRIATHLETE who tragically drowned during his first competition may have had a fit while in the water, according to an inquest.
Paul Gallihawk, 34, suffered from epilepsy and drowned on the swimming leg of his first triathlon after getting into difficulty.
He competed in the event on August 29 last year and his body was found by divers 87 metres from the start line at Ocean Lake Triathlon in Leybourne Lakes, Maidstone, Kent.
Pathologist Dr David Rouse said at an inquest at Archbishops' Palace on Monday that the cause of death was immersion and that Paul's epilepsy and recent fainting could have played a part in his tragic death.
However, nothing in the postmortem suggested these were the cause and Paul had not suffered a fit for two years.
Acting Detective Sergeant Steve Smith said that police seized footage of the race from someone who was making a film.
One clip showed Paul swimming at the back of the group, though he did not seem in difficulty.
Organisers later told Paul's girlfriend, Hayley Wright, there were still two swimmers in the water.
When they returned to shore she said: "He's not coming back, is he?"
Seven canoes and a safety boat went out to search the lake, while a person on a mountain bike scoured the perimeter.
The rescue mission and the event itself were woefully mismanaged.
Tim Wyatt organised the rescue mission but was later over-ridden by Kent Search and Rescue.
They ignored his advice for two whole days and then finally discovered Paul in the water, after five minutes of searching.
Christian Gould volunteered in one of the kayaks, responsible for keeping an eye on the slower swimmers.
He received no training and was merely ordered to blow a whistle if he saw anyone in trouble.
Hayley said she saw Paul take his epilepsy medicine on the day of the triathlon.
Mid Kent and Medway Coroner Patricia Harding read a statement from his mum Linda that said: "I kissed him, wished him luck and gave him a cuddle.
"That was the last time I spoke to him."
Paul's fundraising target for the triathlon was initially £300.
After news of his death spread, the total rose to more than £18,000.