A verdict of accidental death was recorded last week at an inquest in Milford Haven on a local paramedic who drowned while 'boogie boarding' in New Zealand.

Thirty-eight-year-old Jeremy Paul Phillips, of 5 Grove Court, St. Florence, died in September 2003 while surfing in a dangerous area off the west coast.

Mr. Phillips was on honeymoon with his wife, at Manganaui Bluff, near Dargaville, when the tragedy occurred.

At the inquest, Pembrokeshire coroner Michael Howells read out the findings of the case which had already been investigated by New Zealand coroner, Robert Baanders.

"Mr. Phillips was a stranger to the area where he was surfing, and there were no obvious signs of danger," said Mr. Howells.

While surfing, Mr. Phillips was swept by the incoming tide, known to be quite treacherous in the area.

He suffered abrasions on the back of his head from hitting rocks below the shallow surface, and drowned.

Before delivering a verdict of accidental death, Mr. Howells said that had the incident taken place in this country, he would have asked the relevant authorities to make sure that notices were put up warning people of the hazardous tides.