An inquest has opened into the death of a woman who was pulled from the sea in Folkestone.

Sarah Stringer, 39, died after emergency services were called to the beach in the early hours of November 22 last year.

Despite efforts to revive her in a helicopter on the way to hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

A full hearing is due to take place later in the year but coroner Chris Morris noted the cause of death as “hypothermia and drowning due to immersion in sea water”.

Crews battled strong gales of up to 80mph in a bid to save her from the freezing, choppy Channel waters.

Coastguard search teams were seen scouring the rocks along the beach at 5.50am.

The RNLI Dover duty coxswain, Robert Bendhiaf, said at the time lifeboat crews had struggled to reach the point where Ms Stringer entered the water because of the rocks in the sea and the wave conditions.

Police were called around an hour later and Ms Stringer was pulled from the sea at 7.20am by the coastguard helicopter from Lydd.

An investigation was launched after it emerged police had previous contact with Ms Stringer.

Kent Police referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission which concluded the force should carry out an internal investigation.

That is still ongoing and it is not yet known when the final report will be published, force spokesman Steve Knight confirmed.

Ms Stringer, who was born in Croydon, was living in Folkestone at the time of her death, the inquest at Archbishop’s Palace, Maidstone, heard.

Floral tributes were left at Folkestone Harbour earlier this year describing Ms Stringer as brave and inspiring.

A note read: “You left a legacy of hope and kindness. Your bravery is an inspiration for all who are recovering from childhood or adult trauma.

“You educated us about post traumatic stress. You will never be forgotten. I hope you are at peace now.”