Drinker drowned after beach cider

Deryn Telfer's body was spotted by a boat off the Pembrokeshire coast

A 23-year-old chronic alcoholic drowned after setting off on a summer swim from a tourist beach and disappearing, an inquest has heard.

Deryn Telfer of Gelli, Rhondda, south Wales, was seen drinking cider on the beach in Tenby, Pembrokeshire before going for a swim on 25 June.

His body was recovered almost two weeks later after it had been spotted by a boat around five miles from the coast.

Pembrokeshire coroner Michael Howells recorded a narrative verdict.

Mr Telfer had travelled to west Wales on 24 June on a camping holiday, the inquest in Milford Haven was told.

But from the outset his drinking caused problems when he was reported to the police by frightened guests at a hotel who saw him walking on a nearby roof on the day of his arrival.

Jeremy Davis, the coroner's officer, read extracts of a police report into the death which said Mr Telfer described himself as a "chronic alcoholic" who had been a heavy drinker since the age of 16.

He died in the sea having consumed a quantity of alcohol and that the cause of death was drowning Michael Howells, Pembrokeshire coroner

On the morning of 25 June he had visited Tenby's South Beach with two friends from the Rhondda Valley.

While on the beach he decided to swim 150m (492ft) to a buoy anchored offshore, something he had successfully done the day before.

Mr Howells read out a witness statement from a tourist who had tried to go to Mr Telfer's aid.

William Worthington, from Shropshire and a former lifeguard, was at the same beach with his family.

He said on arrival he had seen Mr Telfer drinking what he thought was cider with friends from a large bottle.

He later noticed him swimming out to the buoy and followed his progress through a pair of binoculars.

He concluded that Mr Telfer was not a strong swimmer by the fact that he frequently stopped to tread water.

Surfboard

When he believed Mr Telfer to be in trouble he changed into his wetsuit and paddled out to where he had seen him on his surfboard.

By then the alarm had been raised and he was soon joined by lifeboat rescuers, all of whom were unable to find Mr Telfer.

His body was eventually recovered on 8 July after being spotted out at sea.

A post-mortem examination concluded that the death was due to drowning despite the condition of the body, the hearing was told.

Mr Howells added: "Unfortunately, Deryn had been drinking too much and he decided to go for a swim to the buoy.

"Mr Worthington tried to go and help him but he was not seen again until his body was found some time later."

Recording a narrative verdict Mr Howells said: "He died in the sea having consumed a quantity of alcohol and that the cause of death was drowning."