A MAN in his 40s has died after suffering cardiac arrest at the Hereford Leisure Pool this afternoon. 

Police spokesman Emily Cleland said: "West Mercia Police have been made aware of the death of a man who is reported to have fallen ill while at Hereford Leisure Pool this afternoon.

"The man, who is aged in his 40s, was taken to Hereford County Hospital where he was sadly pronounced deceased just before 2pm today.

"His next of kin have been notified.

"As is standard procedure with sudden death, police are conducting enquiries to establish the circumstances. 

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the man's family."

The ambulance service said they were called just after 1pm to reports of a patient in cardiac arrest at the swimming pool.

Two ambulances attended and there was a defibrillator on scene. 

Crews carried out CPR and he was taken to hospital. 

A Halo spokesman said: "We can confirm that this afternoon a customer was swimming at Hereford Leisure Pool and became unconscious and unresponsive, qualified lifeguards administered first aid which included cardio-pulmonary resuscitation until paramedics arrived and took the individual to hospital."