Boy Drowned After Jumping: A 15-year-old Nigerian boy, David Chiaka Ejimofor, tragically drowned after jumping off a pier in South Wales, a coroner has concluded.
David lost his life on 19 June 2023 after jumping into the sea from the breakwater at Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot, shortly after 7pm.
During the inquest into his death, coroner Edward Ramsay noted a “lack of effective deterrents on the day in question” that could have prevented the incident. He remarked, “I have no idea if he saw the signage stating no access. Secondly, even if he did, there was no physical barrier deterring entry.”
Mr. Ramsay also stated that the presence of a lifeguard might have prevented David from jumping and subsequently drowning. Although David had taken swimming lessons in the past, his mother, Maria Ejimofor, described him as a “cautious” swimmer.
Searches on David’s phone suggested he had been planning to swim that day but had shown “some caution about jumping,” the inquest heard.
The coroner stressed that the breakwater “should not have been used” for jumping into the sea, citing “effectively unrestricted and undeterred access.”
After entering the water, David encountered immediate difficulty. Although he had some swimming ability, it was not strong enough to keep him afloat. Despite the desperate efforts of his friends to help, David was overwhelmed.
Mr. Ramsay acknowledged the heroic actions of off-duty police officer Tyler Rowland, who was paddleboarding nearby and helped bring David to shore, along with members of the public who administered CPR.
Still on Boy Drowned After Jumping
An RNLI spokesperson explained that lifeguard patrols usually operate between 10am and 6pm, based on data showing this is the peak period for incidents.
Despite all rescue efforts, David was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:05pm.
Mr. Ramsay extended his condolences to the family and announced that he would issue a prevention of future deaths report.
Following the inquest, a spokesperson for the owner of the breakwater, Associated British Ports, expressed “deepest sympathy and thoughts” for David’s loved ones, and confirmed ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders on water safety at Port Talbot.
Neath Port Talbot Council also offered condolences and stated that, together with the RNLI, it is monitoring activity for the 2025 season and reviewing beach safety measures. The council added it would respond formally to the coroner’s concerns in due course.
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