Woman, 39, died when cold water therapy session triggered unknown heart condition, coroner rules

A woman who suffered a cardiac arrest in a cold water immersion session died from an undiagnosed heart condition triggered by the water, a coroner has ruled.

Kellie Poole, 39, died during the session in the River Goyt in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, on April 25 2022. The session was run by a company called Breatheolution and had been led by Kevin O’Neill, with Ms Poole taking part with two friends.

Concluding an inquest into Ms Poole’s death on Wednesday, Peter Nieto, senior coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, said he found no aspect of the running of the session had contributed to her death.

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But he said he felt it necessary to write to authorities highlighting the lack of regulation covering the activity.

Recording his conclusion, Mr Nieto said: "Kellie died due to sudden cardiac arrhythmia triggered by immersion in cold water which likely became unsurvivable due to an undiagnosed, pre-existing heart condition.

“It is likely that the cold water triggered her heart to go out of rhythm, which then led her to go into sudden cardiac death. It is likely that the heart condition prevented recovery.”

The two-day inquest at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court had heard that Ms Poole, from Droylsden in Tameside, Greater Manchester, had joined the session having never previously complained of health problems.

She said she had a headache after entering the water before falling forward, with attempts made to revive her after she was pulled from the water. The water temperature on the day of her death was recorded as 10.7C.

Mr Nieto recorded the cause of Ms