A FORMER carer was found dead at the foot of TV mast in Poole, an inquest hearing has heard.

Darren Vincent, aged 47, of Cunningham Road, Bournemouth, was reported missing last month.

Television engineers discovered his body two days later, on March 24, as they prepared to carry out routine maintenance work at the mast site in Ashley Road.

By that time Dorset Police had launched a missing persons enquiry to locate Mr Vincent.

On Wednesday (April 1) coroner Brendan Allen opened and adjourned an inquest into the death at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall.

During the short hearing Mr Allen read from a statement prepared by coroner's officer Ken McEwan.

Mr Allen said: "Darren Vincent was a high risk missing person. There were concerns about his mental state.

"On March 24, 2020, two maintenance engineers attended the secure TV mast site to conduct routine maintenance.

"The body of Mr Vincent was located at the base of the ladder which ascends to the top of the mast."

The hearing also heard that paramedics attended the scene and confirmed the death.

Police, who were able to confirm Mr Vincent's identity through their missing persons records, investigated and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

A subsequent post mortem examination concluded cause of death as multiple injuries.

Mr Allen formally opened and adjourned the inquest, and told the court that in the meantime he would be requesting statements from Mr Vincent's family, his GP, police, and would make enquiries to determine whether Mr Vincent was known to the local mental health team.

The inquest was adjourned for a further review on October 19.

Last month, speaking after the discovery of Mr Vincent's body, Inspector Greg Tansill, of Bournemouth police, said: “Our thoughts are with Darren’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time."