Seizure suspected in death

James Burling and Max. Photo / Supplied

A man who drowned in a public swimming pool just metres from a lifeguard probably suffered a seizure or heart problems before he slipped under water.

James Leslie Burling, 33, was swimming at the Huntly Aquatic Centre in January last year when he died.

He worked part-time as an ACC-approved caregiver for a female relative and had taken her to the pool so she could exercise.

Burling was found standing at one end of the pool, slumped under the water, by the woman's 12-year-old granddaughter.

Only one lifeguard, Huntly woman Susan Pearce, was working at the pool that day. She told an inquest last week she had been monitoring the pool but had other duties.

At the inquest Coroner Gordon Matenga, who has reserved his findings, said even if Burling had been found in the water sooner, the outcome may have been the same. Pathologist Dr Duncan Lamont ruled Burling's cause of death as drowning, but said it was probable he had suffered a seizure or heart problems beforehand.

Since Burling's death lifeguard numbers have been increased at the pool, which is owned by the Waikato District Council and run by Total Leisure Concepts.

Burling and partner Sandy Pope's son Max was four months old when Burling died.