Cambridge graduate son, 24, of world-leading neurologist drowned in swimming pool at brother’s birthday party ‘in competition to see who could hold their breath the longest’, inquest hears
- Dominic Hamlyn, the son of neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn, died at family home
- Inquest hears he was pulled from a swimming pool during his brother’s party
A leading neurologist tried in vain to revive his Cambridge graduate son after he drowned in a swimming pool at his brother’s birthday party, an inquest has heard.
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, KentOnline reported.
Friends pulled Dominic Hamlyn, 24, from the pool at his family home near Canterbury, Kent in July before paramedics arrived.
Dominic, the son of world-renowned neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn, was rushed to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford but died later that evening.
Dominic Hamlyn (left), the son of renowned neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn (right), died in the swimming pool at the family’s home in Kent
A post-mortem gave the cause of death as multiple organ failure, with acute respiratory distress syndrome and drowning named as contributing factors.
Dominic’s devastated father, who gave his son mouth-to-mouth when he was pulled from the pool, said he was a ‘beautiful, beautiful boy’.
He 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.’
After studying at The King’s School, Dominic went on to study at University College London, graduating with a first class degree in science and engineering in 2017.
The accomplished scholar then studied for a Master of Philosophy at Cambridge’s prestigious Judge Business School.
The tragedy unfolded during a party for Dominic’s younger brother, an inquest heard
Outside of his studies, Dominic helped found an online retail business and was an accomplished 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.
The full inquest into Dominic’s death was adjourned to take place at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court on December 4.