A fisherman who died in freak storms off the North-East coast on Sunday has been named.
Keith Evans, 58, of Greatham, near Hartlepool, was named by coroner Malcolm Donnelly as the inquest was opened yesterday.
Mr Donnelly told the inquest he will consult with the Met Office about its weather forecast for Sunday as part of the inquest inquiries.
Mr Evans' wife, Maureen, attended the opening of the inquest but was too upset to comment yesterday.
Another fisherman, Alan Chapman, who was found with Mr Evans, was sent home from the University Hospital of Hartlepool last night after being treated there since Sunday. His family also declined to comment.
Lifeboatmen found the fishermen floating near their capsized boat, a quarter of a mile off Hartlepool during Sunday morning's storms, when winds reached 70mph. The lifeboatmen were on the way to another boat when they found the pair.
The full inquest is expected to be heard on October 9.
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