THE exact circumstances leading up to the death of a Jameston man, who body was found by a walker at Manorbier beach, will never be fully known, an inquest heard on Thursday.

The body of Michael Kevin Thomas Foley, 73, of Greenacres Water Gardens, Jameston was found at Manorbier beach on February 18.

Coroners Officer Malcolm Thompson said London-born Mr Foley had moved to Pembrokeshire in 1970 with his now ex-wife and his son.

The inquest heard Mr Foley had suffered a few health conditions, including asthma and bronchitis, and found it difficult to sleep due to anxiety.

However, Mr Foley did not smoke, and rarely drank, the inquest heard.

Mr Foley, an active man who would regularly walk his dog, had been losing weight, the inquest heard.

On the afternoon of February 17 he had visited his ex-wife after skimming walls at home, and seemed tired. He later left to feed his dog.

The following morning, at 7.20am, a dog walker at nearby Manorbier beach found a body face-down on the shore.

Another walker attended and emergency services, including the coastguard and ambulance service, were called.

Mr Foley was declared dead at 8.10am that morning by paramedics.

A post-mortem report by Dr Petya Nadiva found ‘super-theraputic’ levels of the drug zolpidem, used in the treatment of insomnia.

The post-mortem report said Mr Foley died as a result of drowning, with the impairment of consciousness from the zolpidem a contributing factor.

HM Coroner Mark Layton said it was not possible to determine the precise circumstances leading up to Mr Foley’s death.

“It appears he may have suffered some sort of medical event, causing him to collapse,” he added. “This death is the result of an accident.”

Mr Layton gave a conclusion of accidental death.