A shocked passer-by discovered the body of a man who tragically died on a Kent beach, an inquest has heard.

Thomas Joseph O'Kane, from Botany Road in Broadstairs, was found dead at Dover's Crab Bay last Thursday afternoon.

Coroner Katrina Hepburn opened an inquest this morning at County Hall in Maidstone, recording that a man walking along the seafront was the first to come across the 66-year-old.

The walker called police, who were able to identify Mr O'Kane from a passport found near the scene.

Pathologists informed the hearing that he died of traumatic injuries, before the inquest was adjourned until January 23.

The incident prompted a huge response last week, with police, paramedics and the coastguard called to the area at 12.50pm.

A number of vehicles were pictured near the South Foreland Lighthouse at the top of St Margaret's Bay.

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A police spokesman said the death was not being treated as suspicious and a report would be prepared for the coroner.