A holidaymaker visiting Norfolk died after falling into the river Bure from a Broads cruiser, a court has heard.

Callum Bell died on August 20 after falling off the stern of a hire boat while visiting the region from his home in Skegness. He was 58.

An inquest into his death opened at Norfolk Coroner's Court on Friday, during which details were read to the court by area coroner Samantha Goward.

Callum Bell  (Image: Facebook)

The court heard Mr Bell was born in Nottingham and had come to Norfolk on a family holiday.

The incident happened at about 9.15pm while the boat was moored near North River Road in Great Yarmouth. 

Mrs Goward said: "Mr Bell was on holiday on a cruiser and was getting on the boat when he fell into the river."

A pathologist said the medical cause of his death was given as "submersion in water".

After the incident  (Image: Denise Bradley)

Following the incident, his partner Diane Simmonds told the Mail the boat did not have safety rails to prevent Mr Bell from falling after he tripped.

She said: "There are no safety rails at the back of the boat, which is the only entrance and exit.

"Callum tripped on the step with nothing to hold onto then rolled into the river.

"If a safety barrier was there, it would have stopped him rolling in."

READ MORE: To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.

The boat, a 44ft vessel, had been hired from holiday firm Barnes Brinkcraft.

Daniel Thwaites, its company director, told the Mail in August: "As you can imagine, all our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Bell.

"We have no more information about what happened to Mr Bell, so we cannot comment further at this stage."

A full inquest into Mr Bell's death, which is scheduled to last for a full day, will be held on February 28 next year.