A GERMAN holidaymaker drowned while on holiday on the North coast, an inquest heard.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded by North Yorkshire East coroner Michael Oakley on 64-year-old Ferdinand Rwe who had been staying at a Whitby guest house, North Yorkshire, when the tragedy happened in August.

The inquest was told that despite being a strong swimmer Mr Rwe got into difficulties off Sandsend.

The alarm was raised and coastguards and Whitby's inshore lifeboat were on the scene in five minutes.

Mr Rwe, of Cologne, was winched by an RAF rescue helicopter and rushed to Scarborough General Hospital but was dead on arrival.

Giving his verdict, Mr Oakley said sea conditions had been rough and difficult for swimming.