THREE kayakers from the same family who drowned in a river were "relatively inexperienced" having recently taken up the sport, a coroner has said.
Inquests were opened into the deaths of brothers Darren and Mark Thorpe and their cousin Gavin Bradley, who went for a day out on the River Tyne near Hexham, Northumberland, .
Darren, 41, Mark, 39 and their 36-year-old cousin, set off at around 9am on Sunday and were due to return to their wives at 7pm.
Each cause of death was drowning, though further tests would be carried out.
All three inquests were adjourned provisionally until July 10.
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