An inquest has heard of the harrowing moments a nine-year-old boy was swept out to sea.

Connor McDonald died on Tuesday, October 27 last year in hospital after falling into the water near his home in Dymchurch.

At an inquest today at Folkestone Magistrates Court, Coroner Christine Freedman ruled that Connor’s death was an accident and that he died from immersion.

Scroll down for video

However his mum and dad, Paul and Kate, who sat in the courtroom with family and friends, say they are not satisfied with the inquest results.

Mrs McDonald says she still has questions surrounding her son’s death and how he came to be in the water.

She said: “I still can’t get around why they went so close. He couldn’t swim.”

The inquest heard how on the day he died Connor, a pupil at Furley Park Academy in Park Farm, Ashford, was playing football at his home - which is roughly 20 metres from the sea - with a friend of his brother, who was staying with the family during the school half term holiday.

VIDEO REPORT: Inquest hears of boy's tragic death. Josie Hannett reports

The boys asked Mr McDonald if they could go to the sea.

Giving evidence, Mr McDonald said he told them ‘no’ as he could hear the waves from the house. He told them to play in the garden instead.

However, the boys went down to the sea.

In a statement read out at the inquest by Det Sgt Matthew Jones from Niall, the friend who was with Connor, he said that Paul had said it was okay to go down to the sea - something Mr McDonald denies.

The statement described how the tide was in and the waves were quite high.

Niall said he could only see a few of the steps leading to the sea because they were covered in water.

He said: “We went down some steps and stopped near where the rocks were.

“We leant against the rocks, which had slime on them. We were trying to touch the froth.”

Niall then said a huge wave came in and soaked Connor from the neck down.

He said Connor turned to him looking shocked, as he had got wet.

He said Connor then slipped on some green slime. He landed on his front with his feet towards the sea. As he landed he went out to sea.

Niall then said he turned and shouted for help.

Soon after Connor’s father Mr McDonald, who had been alerted to the incident by his older son, had come down to the sea.

Mr McDonald said when he arrived he could see Connor in the water, along with Kim Berger, a dog walker who had jumped in to try and rescue him.

He said: “I was going to jump in but this woman said someone already had.”

Mr McDonald climbed down the rocks and said “he felt something hit his legs”.

He grabbed Connor out of the sea and tried to resuscitate him.

About 10 minutes later, the paramedics arrived at the scene and they took over.

Connor was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford but never regained consciousness.

Mr Berger was rescued from the sea by lifeboat crews, who have since praised his incredibly brave actions.

He was out walking his dog on the seafront that day, the inquest was told.

Mr Berger noticed Niall standing looking into the sea and also Connor in the water.

He said: “I called to the boy standing on the side and asked if he had fallen in and he said yes.

“I got my phone out and dialled 999 and then gave it to the boy.

“I took my jersey off then dived in. “

"I would like to pay a tribute to the actions of Mr Berger, who did everything that was possible. This is nothing but a tragic accident" - coroner Christine Freedman

Mr Berger swam out to Connor. He said he was unresponsive but his eyes were open when he reached him.

He added: “As I got to him a huge wave hit us.”

He tried to swim back but kept getting hit by waves. He got him to the rocks on the shore but then lost Connor.

The Coroner said: “Connor died at the William Harvey Hospital. He had drowned in the sea off Dymchurch.

“He and his friend Niall, who was staying with the family, had asked Connor’s father for his permission to play on the sea wall. I have heard conflicting evidence but

"I am satisfied that Connor was aware of the dangers of the sea, especially at high tide.

“I am also aware that children don’t always do what they are told.

“Connor and Niall went down to the sea wall and down the second tier and down to the rocks, the tide was high.

“What happened then we do not know. We do know the surface of the rocks was slippery and there are a number of possibilities that he fell and slipped.

“Before I conclude I would like to pay a tribute to the actions of Mr Berger, who did everything that was possible. This is nothing but a tragic accident.”