A coroner has attributed the death of a 15-year-old Nigerian boy, David Ejimofor, to inadequate safety measures after he drowned at Aberavon Beach, Neath Port Talbot, in South Wales last summer.
The incident occurred on the evening of June 19, 2023, shortly after 7pm, when David, described by his mother, Maria Ejimofor, as a “cautious” swimmer, jumped from a breakwater into the sea and quickly got into difficulty.
At an inquest held on Tuesday, Coroner Edward Ramsay concluded that a lack of effective deterrents at the location contributed to the tragic event. “There was effectively unrestricted and undeterred access,” he remarked, noting the absence of physical barriers and questioning the visibility and effectiveness of existing warning signage.
The inquest heard that although David had taken swimming lessons, his ability was not strong enough to cope in open water. “While he could swim, his ability was not good,” Ramsay stated, adding that despite desperate efforts by his friends, David was unable to stay afloat.
Emergency services were called to the scene. Off-duty police officer Tyler Rowland, who was paddleboarding nearby, helped bring David ashore, where bystanders performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Sadly, David was pronounced dead at 8.05pm.
Evidence revealed that David had researched swimming spots earlier that day, with internet searches on his phone suggesting he was considering swimming but was unsure about jumping. “He had expressed some caution about jumping,” the coroner noted.
Ramsay was also critical of the absence of a lifeguard at the time. Lifeguard patrols typically operate between 10am and 6pm, and the incident happened shortly after. The coroner suggested that had a lifeguard been present, “it was possible David would not have jumped and therefore not have drowned.”
An RNLI spokesperson explained that patrol times are based on incident data and acknowledged the importance of varied safety measures for landowners and councils.
In response, Associated British Ports, owners of the breakwater, expressed their condolences and confirmed ongoing collaboration with local authorities to review water safety provisions.
Neath Port Talbot Council also extended sympathies to David’s family and pledged to monitor and review beach safety ahead of the 2025 season. “We are currently assessing activity and will formally address the coroner’s concerns in due course,” a council spokesperson said.
Coroner Ramsay confirmed he would be issuing a formal Prevention of Future Deaths report to prompt safety improvements and help avoid similar tragedies in the future.
