An Oxford University student died in Hinksey Park, an inquest heard.

Colin Dowling, 19, a student at Christ Church, died on February 23 at the south Oxford park. A paramedic formally verified his death at 12.53am.

Opening the teenager’s inquest at Oxford Coroner’s Court on Wednesday (March 15), senior coroner Darren Salter said Mr Dowling had sent messages to friends on the evening of February 22 expressing an intention to take his own life.

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The emergency services were called and police launched a search for the student.

Mr Salter said the cause of Mr Dowling’s death remained under investigation.

The full inquest is expected to take place on June 27.