Police assisting the HM Coroner, after a man’s body was found at Hengistbury Head, are trying to trace the crew of a boat seen at Mudeford Quay who they believe may have vital information.

At 9.25pm on Sunday 24 May 2015, the body of a man aged in his 70s was found in the water at Hengistbury Head by a member of the public.

The man’s next of kin were notified and the death is not being treated as suspicious. It is believed that the man had entered the water at Mudeford Quay 43 hours before he was found.

On behalf of the coroner, police are trying to locate the owner and crew of a boat that left Mudeford Quay at around 2am on Saturday 23 May 2015.

Police Sergeant Tim Ward, of Christchurch police, said: ‘We believe that the craft was in the general area around the same time as the incident which resulted in a man’s body being discovered.

‘I am hoping that whoever was on that boat may be able to provide us with vital information for the coroner’s inquest.

‘This is a very tragic incident and any information we have may help to piece together exactly what happened. I would like to emphasise that this death is not being treated as suspicious.’

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 23:89.