A GIRL who died after being swept into sea in front of her mother at Durdle Door was hit by a "freak" wave, an inquest heard.

Five-year-old Rose Grace Carter, from Salisbury, was pulled from the water after the incident on Wednesday, April 18, however she was pronounced dead at hospital later that day.

Richard Middleton, assistant coroner for Dorset, was told that Rose was walking along the beach in Dorset with her mother and sister.

Andrew Lord, coroner's officer for Dorset, told the Bournemouth inquest: "Rose was walking along the beach at Durdle Door with her mother and sister at around 11.30am on April 18 when a sudden freak wave crashed onto the beach and washed her into the sea.

"Frantic rescue attempts were made by her mother and a bystander, before Rose was pulled from the water by two males who happened to be in the bay on a boat.

"Rose was then conveyed to Dorset County Hospital where she sadly passed away."

A post mortem examination was carried out by Dr Samantha Holden at Southampton General Hospital on Tuesday, April 24 and filed an initial cause of death as unascertained pending further investigations.

Police confirmed they believe there to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

The inquest was adjourned until 10am on Wednesday, October 3.