Renewed appeal to identify dead kayaker ‘with Irish accent’

British police have renewed their appeal for help in identifying a dead kayaker thought to have had an Irish accent.

The man’s body was found on Yaverland Beach, Sandown, on the Isle of Wight on September 11th.

Hampshire police have released an e-fit of the man, estimated to be in his mid-20s to mid-30s.

‘Well built’

They described the man as “well built”, with blue eyes and dark hair.

He was last seen at Brighton Canoes, in Newhaven, Sussex, at about 4pm on September 8th. At the time he was wearing beige shorts and a blue zip-up jacket.

“He wasn’t here long and wasn’t asking many detailed questions,” said an employee of Brighton Canoes on Thursday.

“One of our staff thought he sounded Irish... It was such a short visit that he didn’t really stick in the memory.”

The man rented a yellow and black inflatable kayak, with the brand name “Sevylor Colorado”, which was later recovered from the sea.

The coast off Newhaven and Brighton - about 60 miles east of the Isle of Wight - is popular with canoeists and kayakers.

CCTV footage

Police released grainy CCTV footage of him leaving Brighton Canoes last month, which to date has not helped them identify the man.

Irish canoeing groups have also circulated details on social media, without success.

Police said on Thursday his death was being treated as unexplained.

"Information has been shared in the force area of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, as well as in Sussex and Ireland, " a spokeswoman for Hampshire Police said.

“However, we are no closer to identifying the man and need the public’s help. We do not know where the man lived, or where he was originally from.

* Anyone with information has been asked tocontact Hampshire Policeat: + 44 1962 841534