Tom Daley’s Olympic diving coach died from sudden adult death syndrome similar to that which nearly killed Danish footballer Christian Eriksen, an inquest heard. David Jenkins, 31, was found collapsed in a swimming pool in the Turkish resort city of Antalya on 9 October last year.
He had spent the day training the elite GB squad following their success at that summer’s Olympics before he died. Mr Jenkins, the Development Lead Coach for England’s top diving programme Dive London, played an “instrumental role” in the Tom Daley Diving Academy before his death.
An inquest at North London Coroners Court in Barnet heard his death was mysterious but now appeared to be sudden adult death syndrome. When his family asked why the circumstances of his death appeared to be a mystery, Assistant Coroner for North London Peter Straker explained how it can strike young, healthy people.
