A SOUTHAMPTON man died after helping swimmers who got into difficulty off the coast of Alicante, Spain. 

Bryn Thomas, of Dale Valley Close, died in Guardamar del Segura on June 7.

The municipality is about 40 kilometres south west of Alicante.

An inquest was opened into the 52-year-old's death at Winchester Coroners' Court on Tuesday, July 2.

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Area coroner Jason Pegg told the inquest that Mr Thomas had gone into the sea to help some swimmers who had got into difficulties. 

However, he got into difficulties himself and later died. 

The causes of death were given as encephalic anoxia and mechanical asphyxia due to submersion. 

The full inquest will be heard at Winchester Coroners' Court on July 9 next year.