A HAMPSHIRE man died in a tragic accident after falling from his kayak in the Solent and drowning, a coroner has ruled.

Stephen Taylor, 54, left Lee-on-the-Solent at about 11.30am on April 19 and made his way to Lepe Country Park before turning around and heading back home.

An inquest into his death head that a combination of wind, tide and fading light made the return journey more difficult.

Mr Taylor had kayaked for a number of years but had not previously attempted to journeys east and west across the Solent.

PC Matthew Gransden of Hampshire Constabulary's marine unit told coroner David Horsley that it is likely the wash caused by a dredger in the Solent may have caused Mr Taylor to capsize.

His body was found in water near the Isle of Wight the following morning and a pathologist's report indicated he had drowned.

Mr Horsley said: "This is an extremely tragic accident and no-one is to blame."