An inquest has heard that a man drowned after being struck by a large wave while his family watched from the shore.
Simon Lightbody, 48, from Reigate in Surrey, went for a swim at Blackpool Sands near Dartmouth in Devon on Monday afternoon. Emergency services pulled him from the water.
The inquest was opened at Devon Coroner's Court on Thursday. His cause of death was given as drowning.
The court was told that Lightbody, who was born in Northern Ireland, was hit by a large wave and could not be seen in the water by his family. Emergency services were called, and a lifeboat recovered his body.
The coroner's court adjourned the hearing for a full inquest.
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Inquest Told Man Drowned While Family Watched