An inquest has opened following the death of a five-year-old who drifted out to sea off the west coast of Wales in a toy dinghy.

The court heard how Ryan Ingram from Kington in Herefordshire, had been on a Bank Holiday weekend away in Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, when he drifted out to sea on Saturday.

Apparently the father had swum out to try and rescue the child who somehow had drifted away from him

Milford Haven Coastguard spokesman

Witnesses said the boy appeared to panic and jumped into the water to try to rescue his father who was swimming out to rescue him.

A few hundreds yards out at sea, Ryan disappeared soon after.

He was picked up by a lifeboat - who had received a call at 1140BST from a beach lifeguard.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate the boy on the beach before he was flown to hospital by an RAF helicopter.

He arrived at Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest, at 1300 BST but was pronounced dead.

The inquest into his death had been adjourned while police continue to investigate the incident.

A spokesman for Milford Haven Coastguard said: "Apparently the father had swum out to try and rescue the child who somehow had drifted away from him.

Sea dangers

"But he failed to reach him, and at some point he saw the child jump into the water."

Reports say that Ryan had been on the beach with his parents and that he had taken the dinghy out without them knowing.

When his father saw the vessel drifting out to sea, he tried in vain to swim out to reach him.

On Tuesday, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said new statistics showed that nearly three quarters of children admit to knowing very little about the dangers of the sea.

The MCA's Head of Search and Rescue, Peter Dymond, said: "It is clear from this new research that children - especially those living in inland areas - have a very poor understanding of sea and beach safety.

"Already this year we have witnessed several unnecessary accidents - some of which were fatal - and we are urging people to be alert and responsible at the beach and follow the Sea Smart code."