Sam Buchan, 31, from Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire, was pulled from the water during the 1.2‑mile swim in Prince of Wales Dock on 14 July 2024, as temperatures in the city soared above 28°C during a heatwave.
The inquest opening at Swansea heard Mr Buchan was spotted struggling in the water around halfway through the swim section. Safety crews brought him aboard a support boat and began resuscitation before he was transferred to a medical tent and then taken to Morriston Hospital.
He died three days later. A post‑mortem examination recorded the cause of death as exertional heatstroke leading to cardiac arrest.
Assistant coroner Colin Phillips adjourned the hearing until 18 March 2026 for a full inquest.
In a family tribute, Mr Buchan was described as the “soulmate and husband loved beyond words of Samantha, adored and very proud Dada Lion to Ella”, as well as a “precious and dearly‑loved son”, “much‑loved brother” and “great friend to many”.
The Swansea event included a 56‑mile bike course through Gower and a 13.1‑mile run along the Mumbles seafront. Speaking after the incident last year, an Ironman Wales spokesperson said safety personnel had “worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical assistance” and extended condolences to Mr Buchan’s family and friends.
Mr Buchan’s death was the second in three years during a triathlon in Swansea. In 2023, grandfather Andrew Ireland died during the swim section of another race in the city.
