A STUDENT drowned after he was overcome by "violent" waves while paddling in the sea, an inquest heard.
Sujal Sahu, 21, was chest height in the water in Clacton On Sea, Essex, with five others when the group got into difficulty.
An inquest heard how they were dragged under the pier by the current and desperately fought to keep their head above water.
Most of the friends, including computer science student Sujal, were unable to swim.
His pal told the inquest: "I was in such sheer panic. The waves were continuously crashing into us and taking us into the water.
"I was drowning; I couldn't breathe and I genuinely felt I would die."
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The friend said she heard Sujal "scream multiple times for help" as he desperately grabbed her arm.
The student "quickly let go" when another large wave crashed into the group, she added.
Two of the group managed to get themselves to the shore while three others were rescued by emergency crews.
A huge search was launched for Sujal but his body was tragically found four days later on July 23.
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He was found to be an "advanced state of decomposition" when the RNLI pulled him from the water three miles from Clacton Pier.
A post-mortem at Colchester Hospital determined Sujal's cause of death to be drowning.
Senior Coroner for Essex Lincoln Brookes said: "It was very hot and there was little wind. I am sure the sea looked very inviting to all of them.
"The family quite rightly ask: 'Why did it have to be our boy who didn't make it when everyone else survived?'."
The coroner ruled Sujal's death as an accident following the inquest.
He added: "What Mr Sahu intended to do was have a refreshing dip in the sea but sadly and unintentionally this led to his death."
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