Kiwi told wife he would hold breath underwater before he drowned in pool

A revered Kiwi photographer dwelling within the United Kingdom drowned whereas on vacation in Auckland, probably by holding his breath too lengthy underwater.

Anthony Clausen, generally known as Ant by household and pals, had been visiting household in Auckland along with his spouse and youngsters, Stuff reported.

Clausen, 47, was born in NZ however had been dwelling within the northern UK metropolis Liverpool earlier than his loss of life.

Anthony Clausen drowned in a swimming pool in the Auckland suburb of North Shore on January 21. — Anthony Clausen drowned in a swimming pool within the Auckland suburb of North Shore on January 21. (Stuff / Paul Sullivan)

He died whereas within the swimming pool of an house within the Auckland suburb of Takapuna the place the household have been staying in on January 21.

A coroner dominated Clausen’s reason behind loss of life was drowning, whereas he was probably making an attempt to see how lengthy he might maintain his breath underwater.

Coroner Alison Mills mentioned Clausen had been a “highly talented” skilled photographer.

During his profession, he photographed plenty of well-known folks together with billionaire Sir Richard Branson, Meghan Markle and the late Queen Elizabeth.

Coroner Mills famous Clausen was described by his spouse Natalia Clausen, as “fit and healthy” with no well being circumstances. He was a powerful swimmer and had been a diving teacher previously.

Clausen and his household had been spending a month in New Zealand to see family and friends, and the house they have been staying at had a two-metre deep pool.

On the morning of his loss of life, Clausen instructed his spouse he was going to go to the underside of the pool and maintain his breath.

The day earlier than he managed to carry his breath for 3 minutes and needed to see if he might do it for longer.

Ten minutes after this dialog Natalia Clausen discovered him unconscious on the facet of the pool after he had been pulled from the water.

A autopsy examination confirmed Clausen drowned and the pathologist famous he had a barely enlarged coronary heart which might trigger an irregular heartbeat which might result in unconsciousness.

“If a person was in a pool when this happened they could die,” Coroner Mills famous.

Coroner Mills mentioned there was a threat of shallow water drowning by holding your breath too lengthy underwater.

“He most likely drowned due to shallow water blackout, which is an underwater faint due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

“This is most typical amongst match swimmers and free divers and infrequently happens with out warning. Unlike common drowning which takes six to eight minutes, solely round two and a half is required.”

Coroner Mills warned repetitive breath holding increased the risk for a shallow water blackout.

“Never hyperventilate earlier than coming into the water, ignore the urge to breathe, swim alone or play breath holding video games,” she said.

Paul Sullivan, a friend of Clausen’s in the UK, earlier said he had gone “method too quickly”.

“We misplaced an exquisite good friend and artist,” Sullivan said, “the house won’t ever be the identical, however his legacy and inspiration will burn as brightly as his unimaginable life.”

“He was actually one among a form and we’re going to miss that massive smile a lot.”