A 23-year-old died from a stab wound to the chest in a late-night high street attack, an inquest has heard.

A coroner today told how Samare Gerezgihir, also known as Sammy and Jamil, was found by police who had been called to a disturbance in Canterbury city centre at 11.30pm on Thursday, October 10.

Officers began CPR on him before paramedics took over as a massive emergency response descended on the junction with St Margaret’s Street and High Street.

But Mr Gerezgihir was declared dead about an hour later.

A large police cordon was set up as a murder investigation was launched, with officers and forensics working around the clock.

Five men have since been arrested, two of whom have been charged with murder.

An inquest into Mr Gerezgihir’s death opened today at Oakwood House in Maidstone. The coroner heard the former Hartsdown Academy pupil resided in Canterbury but had no fixed address and died from a stab wound to the left of his chest.

The coroner said: “At 11.30pm police found him. They began CPR, which paramedics then continued.”

However, the young man - who was unemployed - could not be revived, and his time of death was recorded at 00.28am.

The coroner continued: “The cause of death is ruled as a stab wound of the chest.”

In touching tributes released since his death, Mr Gerezgihir’s girlfriend described him as a “handsome angel” while a former teacher spoke of his bravery and respectful manner while attending Hartsdown Academy in Margate.

Kemal Ibrahim, 24, of Long Acre Close, Canterbury, and Mohammed Hgar, 31, of no fixed address, were previously charged with murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place in relation to the incident. Mr Ibrahim is also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

They have since been remanded in custody.

The inquest was suspended to reopen at the conclusion of criminal proceedings, with a trial date set for March at Canterbury Crown Court next year.

They are expected to appear at the same court on November 12 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.