A man who died after falling from the M2 bridge has been named.

Philip Ball, 50, of Eynsford Road, Swanley, was found dead in the River Medway last Thursday.

An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday, with the cause of death recorded as multiple injuries.

Emergency services were called at 11.30am after an off-duty coastguard reported seeing a man fall into the water. Another witness said the man was wearing a high-visibility jacket.

The RAF search and rescue helicopter, police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Air Ambulance, the Medway coastguard and the Sheerness inshore lifeboat crew were all involved in the search.

Mr Ball’s body was pulled from the river at about midday and taken to Medway Bridge Marina. Despite attempts by paramedics to revive him, he was declared dead at the scene.

A Kent Police spokesman said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

The full inquest will be held at a later date.

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