A YACHTSMAN died of traumatic head injuries after he was hit by the boom of his vessel in the Solent, an inquest has heard.

Craig Michael Platt, 30, of Wellington Street, Leeds, suffered a brain haemorrhage as a result of a fractured skull after the incident off Gurnard Ledge, near Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.

Coroner Caroline Sumeray heard that the yacht was forced to turn back to Cowes by rough weather on Monday, August 11, but Mr Platt was struck at about 1.30pm.

Emergency services rushed to the scene but Mr Platt was confirmed dead at about 2pm.

The inquest was adjourned until December 16.