AN inquest into the death of York tsunami victim Stephen Magson has found that he died from drowning.

The 54-year-old, from Holgate, remained on the beach on the Thai island of Phi Phi while his wife, Denise, and stepdaughter, India, went kayaking on Boxing Day.

No one saw what happened to the company director, or exactly where he was when the wall of water struck.

Denise and India were swept away, but survived.

The mass inquest in London into the deaths of more than 90 British tsunami victims heard Mr Magson and his family had been staying at the Phi Phi Princess Diving and Spa Resort.

The coroner, Alison Thompson, recorded a verdict that Mr Magson, who was identified using dental records and fingerprints, drowned.

Mrs Magson set up the Stephen Magson Memorial Trust to help those whose livelihoods were destroyed by the massive waves.

The trust, which was formed to help people on Phi Phi Island rebuild their lives, has already raised more than £5,000 this year.

Updated: 11:27 Wednesday, December 07, 2005