West Londoner drowned while posing for pictures as friend unaware he was dragged under water

A West Londoner on holiday in France was photographed by his friend as he drowned because they didn't realise he was being dragged under the water by the current, an inquest heard.

Faerez Bagna, 27, was posing in the sea off Carras beach in Nice, when he "took a step back into a deep trench".Southwark Coroner's Court heard attempts to resuscitate the nightclub manager, who lived in Kensington were unsuccessful and he died on September 29 last year.In a statement, Mr Bagna's friend Ines Castello said he was posing for photographs in the sea when he took a step backwards into an unexpectedly deep trench.

"Faerez was unable to pull himself back to the surface"

Assistant coroner Phillip Barlow said: "Faerez was on the beach with a young lady called Alice."She was taking pictures of him in the sea, he was waist-deep in the water on the photos."According to the French people, he took a step back, unaware there was a deep trench behind him and the current pulled him under."Faerez was unable to pull himself back to the surface.""The girl was still taking photos and seemingly didn't notice his struggle until it was too late."

As Mr Barlow read the statement, Mr Bagna's mother Jennifer Jones, who was appearing via video-link, became upset and left the room.After asking whether he should continue, Mr Barlow added: "According to the police report, Faerez was in the water for 15 minutes."The ambulance was called and they attempted CPR on site but they were unable to resuscitate him."I was told by French Police he had a few sips of beer but there were no red flags on the toxicology report."

"He slipped, he was pulled under the water by the current"

The coroner said Faerez's GP reports showed he had no underlying health problems as he ruled that the death was accidental.He said: "I accept the statement, albeit that it is second hand information from Ines Castello, as to the events that happened."It's clear from all the information that I have available to me that I am in a position to address the questions I need to address."Faerez Bagna drowned while swimming on holiday in Nice.

"He slipped, he was pulled under the water by the current."He was in the water for about 15 minutes and suffered a cardiac arrest. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful."I'm satisfied that the overall conclusion is one of accidental death."

Faerez hosted parties at a Central London nightclub

Mr Bagna hosted parties at Central London nightclub Forge according to his Instagram page, which features photos of him at its champagne tower events.Mrs Jones tearfully told the coroner her son was "supportive and honest".She said: "He was very giving and a loving person".