An inquest into the death of Paul Gallihawk, who drowned while taking part in his first triathlon, has found he died as the result of an accident.

Archbishops' Palace heard about frantic efforts to find the 34-year-old after he failed to emerge from the water.

Mr Gallihawk, from Tovil, Maidstone, was taking part in the Ocean Lake Triathlon at Leybourne Lakes, Larkfield, on Saturday, August 29 last year.

He entered the water for a 750m swim but failed to emerge and his body was discovered on the Monday.

His body was discovered by divers 87 metres from the start line in Leybourne Lakes. It was seven metres deep.

Speaking after the inquest, his dad Malcolm Gallihawk said: "This inquest didn't get us any further - we didn't get the answers we were hoping for."

His family, girlfriend and a fellow competitor told the inquest that he was nervous before setting off.

In a statement read by coroner Patricia Harding, his mum Linda said her son had told her he was "bricking it".

She added: "I kissed him, wished him luck and gave him a cuddle.

"That was the last time I spoke to him."

Mr Gallihawk, of Postmill Drive, was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 16 but had not had a fit for more than 10 years.

Girlfriend of five years Hayley Wright said she saw him eat breakfast and take his epilepsy medicine on the morning of the triathlon.

She brought him his tablet and a glass of water every morning and that day was no exception.

She said: "He said he was nervous. I told him he'd be okay. I gave him a hug and a kiss and wished him luck. I told him I loved him."

Mrs Harding heard Mr Gallihawk was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines, aged 21.

He had been feeling dizzy in the weeks before his death, and feeling unwell around meal times, and had been referred to King's College Hospital, London, but died before he was could have the MRI and ECG he was booked in for.

Acting Det Sgt Steve Smith said police seized footage of the race from someone who was making a film.

One clip showed Paul swimming at the back of the group. He had his head above water and was swimming in a less professional style than other swimmers, but wasn't in difficulty, DS Smith said.

A woman whose partner was competing in the triathlon comforted Miss Wright and heard her at least twice telling organisers Paul hadn't come out of the water.

Organisers told her at one point there were still two swimmers in the water. When those two came in, Miss Wright said: "He's not coming back is he?"

Pathologist Dr David Rouse said the cause of death was immersion. Paul's epilepsy and fainting he'd recently been suffering from could have played a part, he said.

He added that nothing in the postmortem suggested these were the cause, but he had to include them in his report for completeness.

Race organisers have also spoken about efforts to find the missing triathlete.

Seven canoes plus a safety boat searched the lake, while a person on a mountain bike searched the perimeter.

Tim Wyatt, who was responsible for water safety and was in the safety boat, organised the rescue mission before performing an underwater search.

The court heard Kent Search and Rescue (KSAR) eventually took over, with Mr Wyatt offering help on Saturday but the service declining his assistance.

He tried to tell KSAR where he thought the body would be but was "ignored for two days".

On Monday he was asked to help and told rescuers where he thought the body would be. They found Mr Gallihawk within five minutes.

Kristian Gould was a volunteer in one of the kayaks. He stayed near the back with the slower swimmers, particularly one very slow lady who was doing breast stroke.He said he'd received no training and was just told to keep an eye on the swimmers and blow the whistle if anyone was in trouble.Nick Gallihawk, Paul's brother, asked Mr Gould if he thought he would be able to keep an eye on 20 people as the recommended ratio is one boat to 20 swimmers.Mr Gould responded: "I don't think l could."He also revealed he didn't know the weak or slow swimmers wore yellow caps.

A chip timing company used equipment to track where competitors were and when they reached various checkpoints.

Data revealed one less person exited the water than had entered it.

When the inquest was opened and adjourned in September it was revealed Mr Gallihawk had epilepsy and, although he had not had a fit for 10 years, this had played a part in his death.

A postmortem examination, carried out by pathologist Dr David Rouse, gave the cause of death as immersion, with epilepsy being a contributing factor.

Mr Gallihawk was being sponsored to take part in the triathlon and was raising money for King's College Hospital, London, which had previously treated his dad.

His fundraising target was £300 but after news of his death emerged donations poured in and more than £18,000 was raised.

Mr Gallihawk also left his dad Malcolm and older brother Nick.

Ms Harding says there are matters of concern that have come to light but not enough to trigger a regulation 28 report from.

She returned a verdict of accidental death.