Canoeist died after he capsized

Roger Bates was described as a "very loveable character" at the inquest.

A canoeist died when he capsized and cold water caused his heart to stop, an inquest has heard.

Roger Bates, 42, a finance assistant at the University of Sussex, Brighton, died after becoming trapped on the River Dee, at Llangollen, Denbighshire.

The Flint inquest heard cold water on the larynx can trigger a reaction called an arrhythmia, which stops the heart.

John Gittins, deputy coroner, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

The inquest heard Mr Bates, who was at an intermediate level in canoeing, was with a group of colleagues who travelled to north Wales.

He capsized and managed to cling on to a falling tree.

'Brave efforts

But he became "pinned" in the water by a colleague's canoe when he also capsized.

The inquest heard how friend Simon Fisher, from Brighton, and Nicholas Ramsden, from Kent, brought Mr Bates to shore and tried to save him.

But he was pronounced dead at Wrexham's Maelor Hospital.

Mr Gittins praised their "very brave efforts" and said there was nothing they could have done.

He said he believed the cold water caused Mr Bates' heart to stop.

Recording his verdict Mr Gittins said Mr Bates was a "very loveable character" and his death had been a "tragic event".