Inadequate safety advice may have contributed to the death of a Mid Wales tourist who drowned while on holiday, an inquest jury has found.David Phillips, 68, drowned at Lake Vyrnwy while on holiday with his wife Brenda in August 2004.

The couple, from Haddenham in Buckinghamshire, had hired a canoe from Bethania Adventure, run by David Proctor from a boat house at the lake.

The canoe capsized when it was hit by a wave after a sudden deterioration in the weather and Mr Phillips drowned as the couple attempted to swim to the shore.

The inquest ended in Welshpool yesterday with the jury returning a unanimous narrative verdict.

The jury’s foreman said: “We find after considering all the facts and circumstances that Mr Phillips died on August 2, 2004, from drowning.

“However, we find there are some issues that may have contributed to his death. There was inadequate safety advice and no advice was given on boundary restrictions.

“No safety whistle was issued and the buoyancy aid was not sufficient.

“We find that the safety sweeps were not consistent enough because of the weather and that some staff were not fully qualified to go out on safety sweeps.”

The inquest had previously heard the buoyancy aids worn by Mr and Mrs Phillips were meant for use by swimmers, in sheltered water and when help was close at hand.

The jury foreman said these buoyancy aids were not appropriate as the couple were non-swimmers and help was not close at hand.

The couple were visiting the popular tourist spot for a mini-break to celebrate Mrs Phillips’ 60th birthday.