Andrew McGinty, a 34-year-old water polo coach for England and Great Britain, was found dead in his hotel room at the Village Hotel in Bury on 18 December last year. He had checked in on 16 December and was due to check out two days later.
When he failed to check out, hotel staff forced their way into the room, which was chained from the inside. McGinty was discovered lying on a bed, and a subsequent inquest heard that his medical cause of death was 'suffocation/asphyxiation'.
At the final inquest hearing at Rochdale Coroner's Court on Monday, Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley recorded a conclusion of suicide, stating that 'the circumstances of his death indicate he had deliberately ended his life'.
Tributes flooded in from various organisations. Swim England, the national governing body, described him as a 'key figure' and 'driving force' behind national programme successes. England Water Polo called him 'much liked' and said he had 'a huge influence' on hundreds of young players. The City of Manchester Water Polo Club noted he was an 'integral member for many years'.
Bolton School, where McGinty was a long-standing coach, expressed 'great sorrow', while the English Schools' Swimming Association highlighted his decade-long commitment to school water polo. McGinty, from Higher Blackley in north Manchester, was also the head coach for the English Schools' Swimming Association.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org.
