A “caring and loving” young man who was “always there for anyone” died after suffering hypothermia and drowning in a river.

Regan Phillips disappeared after enjoying a night out with work colleagues in Rochester on Friday, October 18.

A search effort ensued after the 25-year-old was reported missing to police but four days later his body was found, near Morrisons supermarket in Strood.

An inquest into Regan’s death was held at Oakwood House in Maidstone on Tuesday (February 25) where his family members were present.

The court heard how on the night of October 17 Regan left The George Vaults in Rochester High Street and headed alone towards Strood, via Rochester Bridge.

When he didn’t return home, someone who lived with Regan called police to report him missing and a search was launched.

Detective sergeant Colin Cherry outlined to the hearing how Regan was asked to leave The George Vaults and did so without incident.

CCTV cameras from several premises allowed police to trace his movements and he was captured several times on footage throughout Strood before last being seen walking towards Strood Pelican Cruising Club, near the River Medway, behind the Morrisons.

The inquest heard how toxicology reports found Regan had 173 mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system, more than double the UK legal driving limit of 80mg per 100ml. No traces of drugs were found.

He was missing for four days before his body was found.

On October 22, police tracked Regan’s last movements via the CCTV footage and began a search of the nearby area of the river with the use of its police drone.

They identified a body on the nearby mud flats and after it was recovered it was identified as Regan by a police officer who had been working on the search and then later by his parents.

The inquest heard how the warehouse operative from Hoo was likely inhibited by the level of alcohol in his system which was a contributing factor to his death.

Police said there was no evidence or suspicion of a third person being involved, as there was no evidence of struggle or distress and CCTV footage showed he was not being followed.

The coroner ruled Regan’s death was an accident contributed to by alcohol, with his cause of death given as drowning as a result of hypothermia.

Regan had worked as a warehouse operative for six weeks at Oliver Ashworth on the Medway City Estate and had already made a great impact on colleagues in a short amount of time.

A fundraiser, which can be found here, was launched to help his family pay for his funeral.

Regan’s friends and family previously paid tribute to the “caring and loving” young man following the discovery, saying the loss would leave “a big, big void” in their lives.

His heartbroken mum Julie Phillips told KentOnline: “You will always be my little boy and I will miss our daily chats and – most of all – our hugs.

“I could not have asked for such a wonderful son and there will be a big, big void in my life.

“I am especially proud of the man you have become and life is going to be so hard now you are not here.”

Flowers and cards were left at the site from people paying tribute to the “wonderful son” and brother to four sisters who “touched a lot of hearts”.

The former MidKent College pupil’s dad Paul said he had been left “devastated” by his son’s death.

“Not only have I lost my only son but I have lost my best mate,” he said. “Love you, Regan.”