A man died trying to rescue his dog after pretending to throw a ball into the sea.

The pre-inquest review at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court heard Nicholas Warren died on a walk in Kingsdown with his partner, Deborah Douglas, in November.

His six-month-old labrador ran into the water after an imaginary ball, and was swept out to sea.

In what was described as an act of heroism, the 57-year-old tried to save his pet but tragically drowned.

The inquest is expected to focus on whether or not Mr Warren could have been saved.

Two issues have been raised including whether or not an attempt was made to resuscitate him, and why rescue call was taken from the Coastguard’s new base at Fareham in Hampshire, not the local Dover station.

At the pre-inquest review, heard by coroner Alan Blunsdon, Jacques Howell, barrister for SECAmb, said: “There is no evidence to say whether or not Mr Warren was saveable and that’s an important part of the inquest.

“It seems to me there is a gap in the evidence.”

Mr Warren’s daughters, Lisa Rogers, 31, and Shanise Warren, 22, who live in Dover, were present at the hearing.

Mrs Rogers said: “There is no cardio review. It’s possible that the review from the cardiologist could point out, hour by hour, whether the way it was dealt with did cause it or if it could have been avoided.”

Sunyana Sharma, barrister for the coastguard, said a full pathologist report should help to close this gap.

She also said a number of issues had been raised about what should or should not have been done and whether resuscitation took place.

The pre-inquest heard there were contradictions about whether this happened but a report from one of the paramedics claimed resuscitation did take place, both with the RNLI and on the helicopter.

Christopher Langley, barrister for Bristow, said he could provide a statement about the treatment provided by crew on the helicopter.

The helicopter then took Mr Warren to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, where he later died.

The roofer and plasterer was originally from Dover but moved to the village of West Hougham and was at the time visiting his partner, who lives in Mill Hill, Deal.

The rescue attempt of Mr Warren involved the ambulance service, Walmer RNLI, the Coastguard and a contractor for the coastguard Bristow, which runs search and rescue helicopters.

The full hearing will take place later this year and is expected to last at least five days.