Despite being an extremely strong swimmer, the US airman found dead in Bermuda waters in the early hours of Saturday died of simple drowning, say official sources.

The initial findings from the autopsy into the death of US parajumper Sgt. Doug Eccleston so far indicates he had not suffered other injuries which caused him to lose his fight for life after being pitched into the relatively warm and calm waters off St. David's.

Coroner's Officer Inspector Phil Taylor said: "There was nothing to indicate any trauma took place with the deceased."

And The Royal Gazette understands there is no indication of bruising on the head to indicate concussion after Sgt. Eccleston's craft capsized after being lowered from a tanker.

He and another colleague, who was quickly picked up, had helped to stabilise a sick crewman on board the tanker, who was then taken to hospital here.

Yesterday, a memorial service of 400 US military personnel honoured Sgt. Eccleston who, while serving as part of an elite team in Operation Desert Storm, had been in a helicopter struck by enemy fire. That incident led to him having a day declared in his honour in his hometown of Midland, Texas.

During the war, Eccleston's elite team parachuted into the desert and secretly planted beacons for US "smart bombs", which helped destroy Iraqi defences.

His service in the force was almost cut short six years ago when he was injured in a car accident in New Mexico; he had to train twice as hard to come back and win a spot in the US Air Force Pararescue School. He had expected to be dispatched to Afghanistan after Christmas.

The pararescue team's motto is to serve so "that other's may live".

His mother Donna Eccleston told her son's home town newspaper, the Midland Reporter-Telegram: "He gave his life for someone else in the end."

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Ken Warren said Sgt. Eccleston, 35, had a distinguished record in almost 15 years in the forces and had the very best water skills.

He said: "He graduated from Pararescue school at Kirtland Airforce base, New Mexico, which has some of the toughest training there is. Water survival skills are stressed.

"It's fair to say that if you got through that then you are an expert swimmer."

He said the US authorities would be trying to find out exactly what led to the accident on Friday.

And an inquest is likely to be held in Bermuda but it does not have powers to blame parties - only to establish what had happened.

Forensic pathologist Dr. John Obafunwa's full report of Sgt. Eccleston's autopsy is set to completed by the end of the week.

The sick Philippine chef, 49, who was rescued by Sgt. Eccleston and his colleagues took a turn for the worse yesterday and was transferred into the intensive care unit.