David Ejimofor, a 15-year-old teenager, tragically passed away after jumping into the sea from a pier at Aberavon beach in Neath Port Talbot on 19 June 2023. This incident occurred when David joined his friends at the beach to celebrate the completion of their GCSE exams. During the inquest held at Swansea’s Guildhall, it was revealed that David had informed his friends that he could not swim prior to jumping into the water.
Ethan Clarke, a fisherman who was present at the scene, testified that despite David’s disclosure about not being able to swim, the teenagers reassured him that everything would be fine. Unfortunately, as soon as David entered the water, he started to panic and subsequently disappeared beneath the surface. The group of teenagers immediately called for help, prompting off-duty police officer Tyler Rowland, who was paddleboarding nearby, to take action.
Tyler Rowland recounted witnessing the chaotic situation unfold as David’s friends desperately searched for him in the water. He jumped off his paddleboard and swam over to assist in the search efforts. Despite facing difficulties locating David underwater, he eventually managed to recover his lifeless body with the help of a nurse named Amy Saunders, who happened to be at the beach at the time. David’s mother, Maria Ejimofor, described her son as a “beautiful young boy,” emphasizing his athletic achievements and aspirations to pursue a career in medicine.
In a heartfelt statement read at the inquest, Maria shared that David had accomplished a great deal in his short life and had a cautious approach to activities, especially when it came to water-related activities. Although he had received swimming lessons as a child, David lacked confidence in the water and was known for being risk-averse. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of water safety and the unpredictable nature of the sea. The inquest into David’s passing remains ongoing as the community mourns the loss of a promising young individual
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