An inquest has opened into the death of a man found on his boat in the River Teign.

Sam Bucknall, who lived on his boat ‘Blue Pearl’ in the Teign estuary, was pronounced dead at 8.11pm on June 25 after concerns had been raised for the 45-year-old’s welfare.

Floral tributes left by the river Teign in Shaldon described Sam as ‘the kindest man’ and ‘an amazing man who loved his boat and Teignmouth’.

A post-mortem and toxicology tests were carried out, but coroners have not yet been able to ascertain a cause of death.

The inquest into his death has now been adjourned to a future date.