An expert on drowning believes schoolboy Nathan Matthews died after blacking out' by getting out of breath in his efforts to win a swimming race, an inquest heard.
Speaking at Oxford Coroner's Court today, Dr Anthony Handley agreed with a theory put forward by Nathan's family's lawyer on Tuesday that the 11-year-old's energetic swimming style meant he had little oxygen in his system when he submerged to collect a sinker' ring.
While Dr Handley did not dismiss theories that Nathan may have suffered a heart problem or a fit in the pool at Thame Leisure Centre on July 12, 2004, he said they were "possible but improbable".
The inquest continues.
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