Latest news with #DavidEjimofor
Sky News
12-06-2025
- Sky News
David Ejimofor: More deaths possible at beach where teen drowned, coroner says
Why you can trust Sky News More deaths are possible at a beach where a teenager drowned, a coroner has warned. David Ejimofor, 15, died when he got into difficulty after jumping off a pier in Neath Port Talbot, South Wales, on 19 June 2023. An inquest into his death last month concluded that his cause of death was consistent with drowning. David's parents have previously called for tougher safety measures at the breakwater in Aberavon. His father, Alex Ejimofor, told Sky News: "If we can save one life there on that beach, we're happy. David is happy as well." A prevention of future deaths report has now been issued by Coroner Edward Ramsay following the conclusion of the inquest. In it, Mr Ramsay said there were "no lifeguards stationed at the breakwater during higher risk periods in the spring and summer months" and that the breakwater was "known to be dangerous". The practice of placing a lifeguard at the breakwater during higher-risk times "had been in place historically and was known to be effective at reducing the risk", he noted. He also said he had not been given a "satisfactory" explanation in evidence as to why the measure had ended, and that he had also not been shown any evidence that other deterrence measures introduced since David's death were working "effectively to reduce the risk". 'Lack of effective deterrents' Mr Ramsay said at David's inquest that there had been a "lack of effective deterrents on the day in question" to stop him jumping in. Had a lifeguard been on duty at the time, Mr Ramsay said it was possible David "would not have jumped and therefore not have drowned". The inquest heard from David's mother, Maria Ejimofor, who described him as a "cautious" swimmer but said her son had received swimming lessons in the past. As he jumped into the water, David "found himself in immediate difficulty" and despite the "frantic efforts" of his friends, his swimming ability "was not sufficient to keep him afloat", Mr Ramsay said. An RNLI spokesperson said providing lifeguard cover was "one of a range of safety measures a landowner or council can implement to mitigate risk". The Associated British Ports, owners of the breakwater, said it was continuing to work "with local stakeholders and partners regarding water safety at Port Talbot". A spokesperson for Neath Port Talbot Council said it and the RNLI were "in the process of monitoring activity for the 2025 season and will continue to review beach safety provision".
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Bodybuilder teenager, 15, who jumped off pier in celebration of finishing exams may not have drowned if a lifeguard was present, coroner rules - as he warned of future deaths
A teenager who drowned at a South Wales beach after jumping off a pier in celebration of finishing exams might not have died if a lifeguard was present, a coroner had said. David Ejimofor, 15, died after getting into trouble during a 'coming of age ceremony' in the water off Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot. His family said he jumped into the sea with friends at high tide in what was said to be a well-known local end-of-school-year tradition. David was rushed to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, but he could not be saved. In a prevention of future deaths report, the assistant coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot said the teenager drowned in June 2023 after leaping from the breakwater. Edward Ramsay said no lifeguard was stationed around the pier to stop the dangerous activity, as had been the case in the past. The coroner said he had received no explanation why the measure had been stopped before the tragic incident, and warned future deaths could occur unless safety measures are improved. 'The breakwater should not have been used for that purpose but was known to have been used for that purpose by local children and teenagers, especially in the spring and summer months when the weather was good and the tides were high,' Mr Ramsay said. 'In the past, lifeguards had been stationed at or around the pier, at these times, to deter this activity. 'No lifeguard was present at the time that David jumped. 'Had there been one, it is possible that David would not have jumped and therefore would not have drowned. 'I was not given, in evidence, a satisfactory or cogent explanation as to why that measure had been removed prior to David's death, nor why that measure continues to be absent today,' the coroner continued. After his death, the teenager's family set up a petition addressed to Neath Port Talbot Council demanding they improve the safeguarding at the beach. But the coroner said he had not been shown 'any evidence that other deterrence measures put in place since David's death (including clearer signage and a limited-height barrier) are otherwise working effectively to reduce the risk.' At a previous hearing, 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. The sport star and TikTok star 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'. In a tribute, David's family said he was 'a vibrant and promising young boy' and a beloved 'son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend'. They also described him as 'well-behaved and God-fearing' with an 'unwavering passion for sports and health'. 'He was always striving to be the best version of himself. He has an infectious smile, caring nature, and boundless enthusiasm. He touched the lives of many.' 'David's dreams of a bright future were cut short, but his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. 'As described by locals, this is a 'yearly coming-of-age ceremony' practised after GCSEs and A-levels that the entire community is aware of,' his family wrote as part of the petition. 'If everyone, including schools, are aware of this practice, surely we would expect the council to have better safeguarding measures in place, especially at this time of year. 'David Ejimofor was not the first to suffer such a fate at the hands of this pier. 'We do not want David to be another statistic. 'We want his name to serve as an end of this unfortunate trail. 'It is for this reason that we seek change and reform by improving safeguarding measures at Aberavon Beach.' The coroner's report has been sent to Neath Port Talbot Council, Associated British Ports and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, who have 56 days to respond.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- The Independent
Lifeguards could have deterred boy from fatal ‘coming-of-age' sea jump
A teenager who drowned at a South Wales beach in a post-exam 'coming of age ceremony' might not have died if a lifeguard had been present, a coroner has said. David Ejimofor, 15, died after getting into trouble in the water off Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot. His family said he jumped into the sea with friends at high tide in what was said to be a well-known local end-of-school-year tradition. 'Vibrant and promising' David was rushed to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, but he could not be saved. In a prevention of future deaths report, the assistant coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot said the teenager drowned in June 2023 after leaping from the breakwater. Edward Ramsay outlined how no lifeguard was stationed around the pier to stop the dangerous activity, as had been the case in the past. The coroner said he had received no explanation why the measure had been stopped before the tragic incident, and warned future deaths could occur unless safety measures are improved. 'The breakwater should not have been used for that purpose but was known to have been used for that purpose by local children and teenagers, especially in the spring and summer months when the weather was good and the tides were high,' Mr Ramsay said. 'In the past, lifeguards had been stationed at or around the pier, at these times, to deter this activity. 'No lifeguard was present at the time that David jumped. 'Had there been one, it is possible that David would not have jumped and therefore would not have drowned. 'I was not given, in evidence, a satisfactory or cogent explanation as to why that measure had been removed prior to David's death, nor why that measure continues to be absent today,' the coroner continued. After his death, the teenager's family set up a petition addressed to Neath Port Talbot Council demanding they improve the safeguarding at the beach. But the coroner said he had not been shown 'any evidence that other deterrence measures put in place since David's death (including clearer signage and a limited-height barrier) are otherwise working effectively to reduce the risk.' In a tribute, David's family said he was 'a vibrant and promising young boy' and a beloved 'son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend'. They also described him as 'well-behaved and God-fearing' with an 'unwavering passion for sports and health'. 'He was always striving to be the best version of himself. He has an infectious smile, caring nature, and boundless enthusiasm. He touched the lives of many.' 'David's dreams of a bright future were cut short, but his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. 'As described by locals, this is a 'yearly coming-of-age ceremony' practised after GCSEs and A-levels that the entire community is aware of,' his family wrote as part of the petition. 'If everyone, including schools, are aware of this practice, surely we would expect the council to have better safeguarding measures in place, especially at this time of year. 'David Ejimofor was not the first to suffer such a fate at the hands of this pier. 'We do not want David to be another statistic. 'We want his name to serve as an end of this unfortunate trail. 'It is for this reason that we seek change and reform by improving safeguarding measures at Aberavon Beach.' The coroner's report has been sent to Neath Port Talbot Council, Associated British Ports and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, who have 56 days to respond.
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Wales Online
Lifeguards 'could have deterred' boy from fatal jump at Welsh beach
Lifeguards 'could have deterred' boy from fatal jump at Welsh beach David Ejimofor, 15, died after getting into trouble in the water off Aberavon Beach in south Wales David Ejimofor (Image: St. Joseph's Catholic School & Sixth Form Centre ) A teenager who drowned at a South Wales beach in a post-exam 'coming of age ceremony' might not have died if a lifeguard had been present, a coroner has said. David Ejimofor, 15, died after getting into trouble in the water off Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot. His family said he jumped into the sea with friends at high tide in what was said to be a well-known local end-of-school-year tradition. 'Vibrant and promising' David was rushed to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, but he could not be saved. In a prevention of future deaths report, the assistant coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot said the teenager drowned in June 2023 after leaping from the breakwater. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . Edward Ramsay outlined how no lifeguard was stationed around the pier to stop the dangerous activity, as had been the case in the past. The coroner said he had received no explanation why the measure had been stopped before the tragic incident, and warned future deaths could occur unless safety measures are improved. 'The breakwater should not have been used for that purpose but was known to have been used for that purpose by local children and teenagers, especially in the spring and summer months when the weather was good and the tides were high,' Mr Ramsay said. Article continues below 'In the past, lifeguards had been stationed at or around the pier, at these times, to deter this activity. No lifeguard was present at the time that David jumped. 'Had there been one, it is possible that David would not have jumped and therefore would not have drowned. I was not given, in evidence, a satisfactory or cogent explanation as to why that measure had been removed prior to David's death, nor why that measure continues to be absent today,' the coroner continued. Why we cover inquests – and why it's so important that we do As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others' lives. The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of open justice. It's a journalist's duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a person's death. But, most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening. Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system is not held to account. Inquests can often prompt a wider discussion on serious issues, the most recent of these being mental health and suicide. Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person who is the subject of an inquest. Their contributions help us create a clearer picture of the person who died and also provides the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one. Often families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected. However, as has been seen by many powerful media campaigns, the input of a person's family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others. Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered and lives will be lost. After his death, the teenager's family set up a petition addressed to Neath Port Talbot Council demanding they improve the safeguarding at the beach. But the coroner said he had not been shown 'any evidence that other deterrence measures put in place since David's death (including clearer signage and a limited-height barrier) are otherwise working effectively to reduce the risk.' In a tribute, David's family said he was 'a vibrant and promising young boy' and a beloved 'son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend'. They also described him as 'well-behaved and God-fearing' with an 'unwavering passion for sports and health'. They said: 'He was always striving to be the best version of himself. He has an infectious smile, caring nature, and boundless enthusiasm. He touched the lives of many. 'David's dreams of a bright future were cut short, but his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him." 'As described by locals, this is a 'yearly coming-of-age ceremony' practised after GCSEs and A-levels that the entire community is aware of,' his family wrote as part of the petition. 'If everyone, including schools, are aware of this practice, surely we would expect the council to have better safeguarding measures in place, especially at this time of year. 'David Ejimofor was not the first to suffer such a fate at the hands of this pier. We do not want David to be another statistic. Article continues below 'We want his name to serve as an end of this unfortunate trail. It is for this reason that we seek change and reform by improving safeguarding measures at Aberavon Beach.' The coroner's report has been sent to Neath Port Talbot Council, Associated British Ports and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, who have 56 days to respond.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- BBC News
Aberavon beach deaths warning after David Ejimofor death
More people could die at a beach where a teenager drowned unless a lifeguard is stationed there at high-risk times, 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 Edward Ramsay also said he had seen no evidence that other measures put in place since David's, such as clearer signs, were "working effectively to reduce the risk".At the inquest into David's death, Mr Ramsay said a lifeguard on duty could have stopped him from dying. In a prevention of future deaths report, Mr Ramsay said a lifeguard had previously been stationed at the beach in spring and summer and it "was known to be effective at reducing the risk".He said he was not given a satisfactory explanation why that had been removed before David's death, "nor why that measure continues to be absent today". The report was issued to Neath Port Talbot council, Associated British Ports and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, urging action to prevent future inquest heard from fisherman Ethan Clarke who said he heard the boy telling other teenagers he "couldn't swim". He added that he heard the teenagers telling the boy "it would be fine" despite him telling them he could not Clarke said the teenager jumped in and began to panic as soon as he entered the mother, Maria Ejimofor, described her son as a "beautiful young boy", who was "bright and sporty".
