AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a man who went into the sea at Dawlish just before Christmas.

A 73 year old Derek Raymond Pike was seen by a member of the public entering the water by the sea wall on December 15th 2025.

The inquest at Exeter Coroner's Court was told emergency services were called and Mr Pike, who was born in Cullompton but lived in a Dawlish care home, was recovered from the water but was confirmed dead.

The cause of death was drowning and the inquest was adjourned.