THE wife of a company director who died after getting into difficulties during a diving trip off the Dorset coast has paid a touching tribute to him.

Giving evidence at an inquest into the death of Colin Kleinman, 65, his widow Lillian Kleinman described him as "a devoted family man".

Fighting back tears, she said: "Colin enjoyed an active social life and several hobbies; diving was his big passion and he was planning a trip to the Red Sea. He was health conscious and extremely fit."

But evidence from pathologist Dr Ian Calder showed that Mr Kleinman from Oakwood, London, had high blood pressure and an enlarged heart.

His diving "buddy" Paul Marshall told the Bournemouth hearing how Mr Kleinman had not been "his usual self" on September 2, 2007.

"He appeared tired but was keen to go in. There was no pressure; Colin was a very experienced diver. He seemed completely in control during his descent. On reaching the bottom visibility was only about two metres. We were drifting quite fast," he said.

Londoner Mr Marshall said: "Colin passed me his reel. It was getting tangled around us. He seemed like he was on auto-pilot; he wasn't looking at his computer or particularly responsive. I didn't feel he was in full control.

"I decided to abort the dive and we ascended quite rapidly. When we both hit the surface Colin said he felt sick. He was lapsing into unconsciousness but still breathing."

Mr Marshall tried to resuscitate his companion until a rescue helicopter arrived to airlift him to Poole hospital where his death was confirmed.

Swanage skipper Michael Marshall told the hearing that Mr Kleinman had "not seemed his normal self" before getting into the water.

Keith Forward, who examined his diving gear, said: "Everything was in good condition and he wasn't out of air."

A post mortem showed that Mr Kleinman had died after gas had got into his brain after his lung tissue had been ripped by a sudden change in pressure.

Coroner Sheriff Payne recorded an accidental death verdict.