A HEARTBROKEN mother has paid tribute to her 21-year-old son who drowned after going for a swim in a reservoir during the summer's heatwave.

Margaret McLoughlin spoke about her much-loved son Dominic after an inquest found he died accidentally after going for a swim with his friend in High Rid Reservoir, Lostock.

The inquest, which took place yesterday, heard that Dominic, a painter and decorator with Bolton-based Seddon Group, got into difficulties during the open water swim on June 5 of this year.

He had been under the water for more than two hours before he was pulled out by emergency services late that afternoon.

Dominic, who lived in Bright Meadows, Breightmet, and his friend, Daniel Wawrkowicz had planned to go swimming and had cycled six miles to the reservoir with both of them looking for best open water to enjoy a swim in.

But Dominic, who grew-up in Whitefield, got into difficulties after swimming out to a buoy about 10 metres away from the shoreline despite being a "young fit and healthy man".

Daniel had swum on ahead to another buoy before looking back and seeing Dominic panicking who was saying he was out of breath.

Daniel told him to swim to shore and turned back to help him who was in a state of panic. And as he tried to help him, he also went under the water.

Daniel told the inquest he was worried that he himself would die saying: "I saw death in my eyes."

He added: "I tried my best, I tried pulling him."

Daniel swam to shore as Dominic was still above water to call for help and a walker alerted the emergency services at around 2pm. But it wasn't until more than two hours later Dominic's body was found by specialist underwater teams.

Patrick Waugh said Dominic died as a result of "dry drowning" when the coldness of the water causing involuntary spasms affecting breathing.

He said: "I would say unconsciousness occurred relatively quickly."

Station Manager Andy Hardman said that despite the weather on the day the "water temperature does not change very much".

During the inquest, Mrs McLoughlin raised concerns about warning signage, saying it wasn't clear enough but the inquest was told about the signs around in the beauty spot.

In her statement, read out at the hearing, Mrs McLoughlin described her son, who attended St Gabriel's RC School in Bury, as "gregarious" and friendly with so many people sharing their memories of her son after he died.

The hearing was also told that United Utilities were taking measures to provide floatation devices in special cases, as before when they have been provided near open water have been vandalised.

The inquest also heard that providing such devices could sometimes lure people into a false sense of security in thinking it was okay to swim.

The death was described as a "tragic accident" detective inspector Philip Housley.

Assistant Coroner Timothy Brennand concluded the death of Dominic was "accidental".

He said it was understandable why during a "hot summer's day" the two young men made the decision to go swimming in open water.

But added: "There is always a risk of a tragedy like this occurring. I'm sure that the family would wish that message is sent out. Dominic had the rest of his life ahead of him."

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs McLoughlin said: "Dominic was so friendly with everyone, he taught Daniel English. He worked so hard and achieved everything for himself.

"He found the house in Bolton and showed it to me .

"He was so close to all of his family and with everyone he met, the headteacher of St Gabriel's RC School came to his wake."

Dominic, is the son of John Burke, and brother to Rosanna, aged 27, Matthew, aged 33, Martin, aged 30, and James, aged 25.

She added: "Daniel has been through a lot, he says he still gets flashbacks from that day.

"I do welcome the safety measures, I couldn't see the warning signs when I went down to the reservoir where Dominic and Daniel were. I just want people to stay safe."

Rosanna added: "It was Dominic's 22nd birthday recently, and he was so close to all of us especially James."