Father's bully fear for dead son

Nathan Matthews (right) was described as an able swimmer

The father of an 11-year-old boy who died during a school swimming lesson has said he hoped his son had not been the victim of bullying.

Nathan Matthews was pulled from Thame Leisure Centre pool, Oxfordshire, on Monday, where he had been swimming with Stokenchurch Primary School, Bucks.

On Tuesday his father Terry, 39, said his son had been bullied by pupils.

He was concerned Nathan may have been pushed under water in a prank. The school denied this was the case.

Nathan was pulled out of the pool by a member of the school's staff after he appeared motionless in the water.

Mr Matthews, a builder from Stokenchurch, said Nathan was found at the "bottom of the pool" as pupils relaxed after a relay race.

He said his son had been found in the shallow end but showed no sign of head injuries - ruling out a diving accident. The school said Nathan got into difficulties during a relay race.

Nathan was described by his father as a "perfectly able" swimmer who had honed his skills in a pool at the family's home.

Pupils had been competing in a relay race at the pool

Mr Matthews claimed his son had suffered problems with bullying going back several years.

"I'm hoping it was a heart defect or something we didn't know about because it's instant death - not that somebody held him under and drowned him," he said.

Mr Matthews added he had found the school "dismissive" when he had complained about bullying.

On Tuesday, Stokenchurch head teacher Andrew White said there was no sign of any physical contact between Nathan and other pupils in the pool.

He said the tragedy had unfolded during a relay race when only five pupils were allowed in the pool at any one time.

In response the bullying allegation, he said: "It is understandable that the family should look round for a possible cause.

Swimming 'difficulties'

"From interviewing staff who were there, there was no sign of physical contact with any other pupil while Nathan was in the swimming pool".

He added: "Nathan was in 2ft 6in of water and appears to have got into difficulties when he went down for the relay ring.

"I fully understand Nathan's parents are desperately searching for answers as to why this has happened and I would be happy to address their concerns in person."

Nathan's fellow pupils were told about his death by Mr White on Tuesday morning.

The incident is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive and a post-mortem examination is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.