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Sky News
21-05-2025
- Sky News
Boy, 15, drowned after jumping off pier in South Wales, coroner concludes
A 15-year-old boy died from drowning after jumping off a pier in South Wales, a coroner has concluded. David Chiaka Ejimofor died on 19 June 2023 after jumping into the sea from the breakwater in Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot, shortly after 7pm. Coroner Edward Ramsay said there had been a "lack of effective deterrents on the day in question" to prevent David from jumping in. "I have no idea if he saw the signage stating no access," the coroner said. "Secondly, even if he did, there was no physical barrier deterring entry." Mr Ramsay said that had a lifeguard been on duty at the time, it was possible David "would not have jumped and therefore not have drowned". David had received swimming lessons in the past, the inquest heard, and his mother Maria Ejimofor described him as a "cautious" swimmer. Internet searches on David's phone suggested he was "anticipating going swimming later that day" but he had expressed "some caution about jumping", the inquest heard. Mr Ramsay said the breakwater "should not have been used" for jumping into the sea but there was "effectively unrestricted and undeterred access". 1:10 Upon entering the water, David "very sadly found himself in immediate difficulty", the coroner said. "This was because whilst he had swam, and could swim, his swimming ability was not good," he added. Despite the "frantic efforts" of David's friends, his swimming ability "was not sufficient to keep him afloat", Mr Ramsay said. The coroner formally recognised the efforts of paddleboarding off-duty police officer Tyler Rowland, who helped get David to shore, and the members of the public who delivered CPR. Despite their efforts, and that of the emergency services, David was declared dead at the scene at 8.05pm. Mr Ramsay expressed his sympathy to David's family and said he would issue a prevention of future deaths report at a later date.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- BBC News
Aberavon pier jump: Lifeguard could have deterred teen, inquest says
Having a lifeguard on duty could have stopped a teenager dying at a south Wales beach, a coroner has Ejimofor, 15, died at Aberavon beach, Neath Port Talbot on 19 June 2023, after jumping into the sea with friends while celebrating the end of their coroner, Ed Ramsay, said if a lifeguard was working "it is possible that David would not have jumped into water and would not have drowned".He also found there were not enough deterrents, such as barriers and signage, on the pier to prevent the death. Mr Ramsay said there was evidence that a "lifeguard on breakwater had worked in the past".On Tuesday, the court heard the lifeguard services finished at 18:00 BST that inquest found David jumped into the sea at about 19:00 and drowned within Ramsay said David's swimming ability "would have been a factor" too as well as the possible element of cold-water shock and mother, Maria Ejimofor, had previously said he had swimming lessons as a child but was not confident in the off-duty police officer who was paddleboarding arrived within two minutes of his disappearance under the water and helped recover the body from the coroner said David's size "made rescue efforts difficult" as he was a big and tall 15-year-old. The family maintained that signage on the pier was an issue - even though there was one sign warning of the dangers at the Mansell, representing the family, said David did not see this because he entered the breakwater further down the beach from the inquest heard better signage has been put up since David's Mansell said the presence of a lifeguard on the pier would have led to a "very different outcome for David".A prevention of future deaths report will also be published by the assistant coroner.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Friends were pulled underwater as they desperately tried to stop bodybuilder teenager drowning after he jumped off pier, inquest told
Two friends were pulled underwater as they desperately tried to stop their friend from drowning after he jumped in to the sea as part of an end of exam celebration, an inquest as heard. Despite their best efforts to save him David Ejimofor, 15, tragically died at Aberavon beach, Neath port Talbot, on Monday, June 19, 2023. The hearing at Swansea Coroners' Court heard that David had told his friends he was not a confident swimmer just before attempting the stunt but his friends encouraged him to jump in anyway. Swansea University pathologist Dr Williams noted that the promising bodybuilder was told by his pals that they would help him if he found himself struggling to swim. As soon as David jumped in he began thrashing around in panic and two of his school friends tried to keep him afloat but were pulled underwater themselves. Dr Williams told the hearing: 'Witnesses say all males except for David were completing a series of jumps from the pier. 'Two of the males shouted to David join them and he said he wasn't a good swimmer. 'They explained they would help him. When David jumped into the water they began to assist him and they were being pulled below water.' The sport star and TikToker was heavier than a typical 15-year-old and had a bodybuilder's diet. The inquest heard that witnesses noted that the teenagers who had tried to keep David afloat were physically 'exhausted'. One eyewitness, fisherman Luke McDonald said he watched as David's friend egged him on to jump in and believed he was safe and supported by the other teens. He said: 'I saw thrashing around a bit. I saw some others grab him and keep him afloat. He looked like he had support. I turned back to my fishing rod. I then heard them say they couldn't see him. I heard someone shout: 'I can't see Dave.' The terrifying scenes were quickly noted by those on the beach and pier who tried to help the struggling school pupils by diving in and throwing a life ring over to the group. Tyler Rowland, an off-duty police officer at the beach who was paddleboarding at the time, told the court he heard several of the seven teenagers return to the beach in panic. DC Rowland said: 'I remember hearing one of them say: "He's gone." I paddled towards them and some of them told me someone had gone under the water and hadn't come up. 'Two or three of the boys, aged around 15 and 16, were in the water and were shaken up and treading water. One of them said something like: 'He's a big boy and he can't swim.' They were in real panic. A teenage girl was screaming at them, "Look for him, look for him."' The inquest heard that the police officer dived several times searching for David's body before eventually finding it in the murky water. He said: 'I dived down and was searching the floor with my hands. It was completely dark and I couldn't see anything. My hands hit what I thought was a rock at first. I then was convinced it was the top of an arm. I was on the sea floor at this point and the male was flat on the seabed. DC Roland then described placing the life ring over schoolboy's head and swimming with him to shore alongside his exhausted school friends. He told the inquest: 'We put the ring over his head and put his arms out of the ring either side. He was completely limp and kept sliding out of the ring. He was motionless. 'I told the boys: "Grab the ring and swim as far as you can." They were exhausted.' Paramedic Barry Edwards said according to witness reports David had been under the water for 10 minutes. He said two shocks were administered using the defibrillator and advanced life support was provided at the scene before the bodybuilder was pronounced dead at 8.05pm. The paramedic was helped to carry the body to shore by nurse Amy Saunders who was at the beach and described 'never experiencing trauma like it' as she worked with the emergency services. Teachers at his St Joseph's Catholic School in Port Talbot said it was 'deeply saddened' by the 'tragic and unexpected passing away' of one its pupils. David's mother Maria Ejimofor said her son was superfit - and won athletics competitions, was a keen weightlifter and made TikTok tutorials on social media. She described her son as 'beautiful young boy,' who was 'bright and sporty'. His mother's statement said he 'achieved so much in his 15 years' and had aspirations to become a doctor. Mrs Ejimofor told the court her son wasn't a strong swimmer and she and her family were 'shocked' to hear he had jumped into the water from the pier. She said he was able to swim after having lessons as a child but he was not confident in the water. The heartbroken mother added that he often went to the beach a mile from his home because his family lived close by but was always cautious of the sea. 'I never saw him paddle further than up to his knees or thighs. He was not a risk-taker. He would not put his head in the open water. He was fully aware that he was not the strongest of swimmers. He was particularly cautious around open water,' she said. Paying tribute to David she said he was a 'bright and curious soul who always had a smile on his face'. She added: 'He was honest, caring, intelligent, polite, independent, hardworking, full of life, respectful, and a beautiful young boy who had achieved so much in his 15 years. 'David was a beacon of positivity and resilience. He brought joy and laughter and his memory will remain in the hearts of those fortunate to have known him. His spirit inspires us to find strength in the most difficult moments.'
BBC News
20-05-2025
- BBC News
Aberavon pier death: Lifeguard hours 'scaled back', inquest hears
Lifeguard operations at a beach where a teen died after jumping into the sea were "scaled back" years before, an inquest has heard. David Ejimofor, 15, died at Aberavon beach, Neath Port Talbot, on 19 June 2023 after joining friends to celebrate the end of their GCSE court heard David died just after 19:00 BST and lifeguard services finished at 18: Rooney the RNLI's regional lifeguard manager for Wales and the west, told the inquest at Swansea Guildhall lifeguards worked until 20:30 before the RNLI took over in 2010, but there had not been an increase in shouts since reduction. Assistant coroner, Ed Ramsey, read out evidence from the former manager of lifeguard services at the beach, Harry Worth. Mr Ramsey said the the lifeguard policy was to put lifeguards on the breakwater, or pier as it is known locally, and they would work until 20:30 in the busy summer months. Mr Ramsey asked Mr Rooney why this changed. Mr Rooney said the lifeguards did work until 20:00 in the first year the RNLI took over but following a review of data the "national model" was applied where lifeguards worked between 10:00 to 18: added "the data would analyse the number of lifeguard and coastguard shouts, and it didn't show an increase in the area".The inquest heard how Aberavon beach is covered by four lifeguards in the busy summer months. The beach is broken up into three areas by the RNLI, which are primary, where the lifeguards are based, the secondary area, which are patrolled and a tertiary or third area which is not patrolled. The area known locally as the small beach and pier, where David died, is a tertiary corner asked Mr Rooney "if lifeguards were on the small beach could they have got to David very quickly" and he replied "yes, they could have". The inquest heard provisions by the RNLI are still "exactly the same" today as when David died. The pier or breakwater is still accessible but there are locked gates and warning signs. The court heard how the gates are only waist high and could easily be climbed over.A RNLI risk assessment was requested by Neath Port Talbot council of the small beach and pier. The assessment concluded the risk level was low to medium and while a lifeguard could be considered it was not recommended. Signage was strongly Rooney said the "small beach is a quieter beach than the main Aberavon beach if we covered it we would have to increase resources".He added they would start monitoring the breakwater from the late May bank holiday on Monday, which is the start of lifeguards' summer inquest continues.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Teenager, 15, said he couldn't swim before jumping off pier and drowning in end of exams celebration, inquest told
A teenager who drowned after jumping off a pier in to the sea told his friends he couldn't inquest has heard. David Ejimofor, 15, died at Aberavon beach, Neath port Talbot, on Monday, June 19, 2023, after he'd jumped from the high pier with his friends. His family previously said he jumped off the pier with friends in high tide in what is said to be a local end-of-school-year tradition to celebrate the end of GCSE exams. The hearing at Swansea Coroners' Court heard from eyewitnesses that they had heard David tell his friends he was not a confident swimmer. Fisherman Luke McDonald overhead David say he wasn't sure he would be able to swim if he jumped in to the deep water. Mr McDonald, who was a couple of hundred yards away from the group of teenagers, heard the gifted weightlifter and track athlete air his concerns before his friends egged him on. He told the inquest he heard the teenagers shout words to the effect of 'Come on - jump in. You'll be fine. It's not deep.' The eyewitness described watching David and his friend jump in and believed he was fine before overhearing panicked shouts coming from the group as David thrashed around in panic. He said: 'I then saw him jump in. He was not pushed or forced in. As he jumped in I was watching to make sure he was okay as I heard him say he couldn't swim. I saw thrashing around a bit. I saw some others grab him and keep him afloat. He looked like he had support. I turned back to my fishing rod. I then heard them say they couldn't see him. I heard someone shout: "I can't see Dave."' The inquest heard that a number of people rushed to the boy's aid including some of his friends who struggled to hold him up out of the water. The court had heard how David, who had gone viral on TikTok for his weightlifting prowess, was heavier than a typical 15-year-old and had a bodybuilder's diet. One teenager who had been trying to help David stay out of the water was physically 'exhausted', the inquest heard. A number of paddleboarders and swimmers rushed to rescue David from the water with the help of a life ring which had been thrown from the pier. Tyler Rowland, an off-duty police officer at the beach who was paddleboarding at the time, told the court he heard several of the seven teenagers return to the beach in panic. DC Rowland said: 'I remember hearing one of them say: "He's gone." I paddled towards them and some of them told me someone had gone under the water and hadn't come up. 'Two or three of the boys, aged around 15 and 16, were in the water and were shaken up and treading water. One of them said something like: "He's a big boy and he can't swim." They were in real panic. A teenage girl was screaming at them: "Look for him, look for him."' The inquest heard that the police officer dived several times searching for David's body before eventually finding it in the murky water. He said: 'I dived down and was searching the floor with my hands. It was completely dark and I couldn't see anything. My hands hit what I thought was a rock at first. I then was convinced it was the top of an arm. I was on the sea floor at this point and the male was flat on the seabed. DC Roland then described placing the ring over David's head and swimming with him to shore alongside his exhausted school friends. Katie Morgan who was training in the water at Aberavon at the time for an upcoming Ironman event described how a nurse and DC Roland began giving CPR while police and paramedics arrived. Police constable Lewis Evans and police constable Gethin Horler-Clee told the court they helped take David further up the beach as the tide was coming in before placing him on a paddleboard and delivering further compressions and using a defibrillator. Paramedic Barry Edwards said according to witness reports David had been under the water for 10 minutes. He said two shocks were administered using the defibrillator and advanced life support was provided at the scene before David was pronounced dead at 8.05pm. Swansea University pathologist Dr Williams noted that despite the best efforts of those involved, David had died from drowning. David's parents Maria and Alex Ejimofor arrived at the beach before they were taken alongside their son to Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. Mrs Ejimofor told the court her son wasn't a strong swimmer and she and her family were 'shocked' to hear he had jumped into the water from the pier. She said he was able to swim after having lessons as a child but he was not confident in the water. The heartbroken mother added he wasn't a risk-taker but a 'bright and curious soul who always had a smile on his face'. She continued to pay tribute to her son, saying: 'He was honest, caring, intelligent, polite, independent, hardworking, full of life, respectful, and a beautiful young boy who had achieved so much in his 15 years. 'David was a beacon of positivity and resilience. He brought joy and laughter and his memory will remain in the hearts of those fortunate to have known him. His spirit inspires us to find strength in the most difficult moments.' As well as being an avid weightlifter with a big social media following around that David was a highly skilled 100m sprinter as well as excelling in long jump, high jump, and shot put. He had also performed well at school, particularly in French and maths, and he played the piano with 'melodies which touched our hearts', his mother said.
