A TALENTED athlete has died in an apparent tragic accident in Thailand.

Jason Flannery, 25, a former pupil at Wensleydale School, in Leyburn, was found dead in a sixth floor flat in tourist resort Pattaya at 3am on Saturday (August 23).

Police said it was believed Mr Flannery, formerly of Bridge Terrace, Richmond, had collided with a glass door that had shattered and severed an artery.

Sawang Boriboon rescue volunteers, Pattaya Police and Bang Lamung Hospital medics were called to the scene at the Spanish Place Pattaya condominium.

Police said they found Mr Flannery dead when they arrived at the flat.

As a teenager, Mr Flannery won the Yorkshire County AAA 1500m title, scored a hat-trick in five minutes with Richmond Town FC juniors team to secure the Cleveland Challenge Cup and was awarded the John Bowles Cup by his school for outstanding achievement in sport.

Reports in the Thai media claimed there had earlier been an argument at the apartment.

It is understood Mr Flannery had been living near the bay around which the resort was developed in the 1960s.

Mr Flannery's girlfriend, Janjira Buapae, told police they had been in a close relationship for year. She said after finishing work she returned to Mr Flannery's flat and found him talking to a friend.

Miss Janjira said she had argued with Mr Flannery and had left the flat before the incident in which he died.

His body has been sent for a post-mortem examination and the British Embassy, in Bangkok, was notified.

It is understood police are not treating Mr Flannery's death as suspicious.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said if the Royal Thai Police are not satisfied after a initial examination of the facts surrounding a death, they can request an autopsy.

He added: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Pattaya, Thailand on August 23.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this sad time."