Roger Mayes, 82, was seen climbing over a barrier and entering the water on the morning of January 15, 2026.

Despite a major rescue operation involving police, coastguards, a fishing vessel and a helicopter, he could not be saved.

Roger Mayes had a complex medical history (Image: Memorial)

An inquest into his death at Norfolk Coroner's Court, was told his his wife of almost 60 years, Linda Mayes, had spent the morning having breakfast with him at their home in Meadow Close, Cromer.

As she left for a nail appointment, he told him she would be cooking for him that evening.

The hearing was told her husband had been a hardworking bricklayer, devoted family man and loving grandfather.

The couple met while Mr Mayes was working in London and married when they were aged 19 and 21.

“He was a kind and gentle man and we never had a cross word in our relationship,” his widow said.

But after retiring at the age of 66, his health began to deteriorate.

Mr Mayes suffered from rheumatoid arthritis which left him in constant pain. In the years before his death both hands became increasingly fixed and difficult to use, leaving him dependent on steroid treatment.

He also developed a serious lung condition which caused increasing........

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