Rugby player drowned while fishing - inquest

An inquest heard William Bevan died while fishing on the Isle of Coll in the Inner Hebrides

An amateur rugby player drowned while on a fishing trip in Scotland, a coroner's court was told.

William Bevan, 25, who played for Skipton RFC, died on 19 September while fishing on Struan Beach on the Isle of Coll.

The inquest opened into his death on Friday, when the court heard the body of Mr Bevan was found in the sea after a search was launched when he failed to return from the trip.

Before adjourning the inquest to a later date, North Yorkshire's assistant coroner, Alison Norton, said: "The provisional cause of death offered at this time is consistent with drowning, pending an investigation."

In a statement on social media following Mr Bevan's death, Skipton RFC's coach, Declan Hayes, described Mr Bevan as "a great young man".

He said Mr Bevan was "old-school in a way you wouldn't expect for someone his age".

"He always made everyone smile when they spoke with him.

"He was a true gentleman, intelligent, thoughtful, funny, a lad who no doubt made his family proud. We will miss him greatly," Mr Hayes said.

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