Man dies at open water swimming event

Shepperton Open Water Swim events have been running since 2010

A man has died at an open water swimming event in Surrey.

Police and paramedics were called to reports of a medical incident at Shepperton Open Water Swim in Ferry Lane at about 10:20 BST on Sunday.

A 61-year-old man was pulled from the water and died at the scene.

The man's next of kin have been informed and his death is not being treated as suspicious, police said.

Event organiser Emma Pattinson told the BBC that each new member must complete a 150-metre shallow water swim test before being allowed in open water.

She said that the man had just completed the test when he "went limp" beneath the water.

"The team are devastated, it's horrific, everything that we could do was done," Ms Pattinson added.

The BBC understands that the man was given CPR for at least 30 minutes.

Ms Pattinson said the death was the first medical incident seen at the club since it began in 2010.

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: "Officers were called at around 10:20 on Sunday to reports of a medical episode at Ferry Lane, Shepperton.

"Colleagues from South East Coast Ambulance were also in attendance and sadly a 61-year-old man was confirmed to be deceased at the scene.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious. His next of kin are aware and our thoughts are with them at this time."