An inquest has been opened and adjourned on 34-year-old Ian Flynn, who was found hanged close to a caravan fire at Mill Lane, Bosbury.

Ledbury firefighters attempted in vain to resuscitate Mr Flynn on a grass verge.

An ambulance crew took over, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sub Officer Doug Drew, of Ledbury Fire Station, said he and his crew believed they were just attending a caravan fire, and his initial concern was that liquid petroleum cylinders might explode.

He said: "The whole scene was engulfed in smoke. We couldn't see anything and the caravan was alight from end to end."

Sgt Bob Wilson, of Ledbury Police, who also attended the scene, said the caravan was one of several vehicles parked on the verge. The incident took place at 12.43pm on Thursday, April 27.

Mr Flynn was found hanging by fire crews from a wooden pole that was attached to a roof rack on a box van.

Sgt Wilson, who described the incident as "terrible", said: "When I got there, firefighters were still trying the revive him while others were trying to put out the fire."

The firefighter who attempted resuscitation was Leading Firefighter Keith Wildig, while Firefighter Phil Vernall held the casualty.

Sub Officer Drew said: "We always carry a resuscitator. You never can tell. You have to do something, you have to keep going."

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was also attempted on Mr Flynn.

Herefordshire's coroner will hold a full inquest into the death of Mr Flynn on a date still to be fixed.