EXCLUSIVE Man, 24, drowns in nine inches of water in 'freak paddling pool accident' during heatwave
Roan Bloore, 24, had been emptying the pool - which his nieces and nephews had swam in during the heatwave only days - before when he is thought to have passed out.
The 'polite and friendly' young man had been lying in just nine inches of water for 10 minutes by the time he was found and emergency services began an hour of CPR.
Even though paramedics managed to start his heart again, Roan's brain had been starved of oxygen - leading to organ failure and he passed away on June 26.
Tragically the 24-year-old's grieving dad Michael says he and his wife never got to say goodbye because they got stuck in traffic.
The father-of-four told MailOnline: 'I'm ripped to pieces, one of my babies is gone. I had four children and now I have three.'
The father and his wife, who live in Doncaster, had been on holiday in Devon when they got the devastating phone call from their daughter that they needed to come home.
Unable to drive from the shock, the couple flew back and were then escorted by police to the hospital where Roan had been taken to.
But in an agonising twist of fate, roadworks on the motorway slowed down their journey and they 'missed seeing Roan by 10 minutes' as he passed away.
'It's like a nightmare I can't wake up from.
'I have to stay strong for my wife who is in absolute pieces,' the former telecoms worker said.
Roan had video-called his father showing the new paddling pool some weeks ago which had been set up to enjoy the warm weather as England was rocked by two heatwaves last month.
The siblings held a BBQ one evening and Roan's nieces and nephews had been playing in the water.
'I told him don't keep it up too long because it would kill the grass underneath and he had it up two weeks in the end but if he took it down when I suggested it wouldn't have been like this.'
Michael said that after this 'freak accident' he now thinks everyone should be supervised while around water, no matter its depth.
Roan's older brother helped paramedics perform CPR, stayed with him in the ambulance and held his hand as he passed away in hospital, Michael said.
He added: 'At the age of 24 and he's drowned when his brother is a lifeguard, it just seems so strange to me.
'If he had been swept to sea I would understand more.
'It's just horrible, I've been an absolute zombie.'
Roan's sister, Abigail, has set up a GoFundMe to support her parents who are disabled and on benefits to help cover funeral costs.
The couple had applied to the Department of Work and Pensions for help but were only granted £1,000 for expenses for the funeral taking place in two weeks.
Michael said he is trying to find solace in that he had 24 years of memories with Roan, who once told him he 'just wanted to appreciate his time on this earth'.
An inquest has been launched into Roan's death but Michael said the coroner found water in his lungs and stomach consistent with drowning.
A substance test is due to be carried out but Michael said he could see Roan had only taken one beer the evening he died.
He added: 'I've had so many condolences from everybody, I go to my local supermarket and even the staff there want to come to the funeral.
'Everyone used to say what a gentleman he was.'
Roan's other sister Katie wrote on FaceBook: 'R.I.P Roan Bloore I love you more than words can say we will forever miss you big bro hope you have fun up there.
'I would like to thank close family, friends, neighbours, NHS and the police for all that you did to help.
'It comes with so much sadness that our boy Roan Bloore didnt make it, and passed away in the early hours on the 26th June.
'Our hearts are truly broken.
'Again, thank you for all that you did.'
Close friend Natalie Wardle wrote: 'I can't believe I'm writing a status like this its still not real but R.I.P to a beautiful person inside and out!
'No parent should bury there child! Gone far too young!! I love each and each single one of you I'm still in shock! And absolutely devastated.'
Chelsea Marie wrote 'my heart breaks for you all'.
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