A BBC HR director died after being hit by a 'colossal' wave while 'heroically' trying to save his cockapoo after she got swept out to sea chasing a ball, an inquest heard today.
Gareth Jones had taken his brown puppy Connie for a walk to the local fish shop on the Brighton coast in East Sussex on January 16, when the dog then charged into the water.
The 69-year-old was then seen on a beach-front CCTV camera heading into the choppy sea to try and drag his pet to safety.
But Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley told a hearing today she believed the pensioner had died almost immediately after entering the turbulent water.