A FATHER who died when on holiday in Germany is thought to have drowned.

Graham Irwin died on September 4 last year after going swimming while on holiday with his wife.

At the time, Mr Irwin, from Stanley Crook, in County Durham, was touring abroad for the first time.

The couple were staying at a camp site in Baden-Baden, in the Black Forest.

An inquest into his death, held yesterday, heard that it was likely that Mr Irwin had drowned but it was not known what had caused it.

Crook Coroner’s Court heard that conditions were good on the morning of the incident and that Mr Irwin was a good swimmer.

The 47-year-old had decided to go for a swim around three quarters of an hour after having breakfast.

Following the incident, German police said they thought he probably had a heart attack and did not order an autopsy.

However, a post mortem examination carried out in the UK did not show any signs of heart disease but found there had been water in his lungs, which suggested he had drowned.

Coroner Dr Leslie Hamilton said: “Here is a fit gentleman who goes swimming in good conditions and drowns and we don’t have a strong explanation as to why.

“This is a tragic accident.”

The inquest heard that Mr Irwin had some signs of an enlarged liver but had no evidence of heart disease.