A coroner has blamed inadequate safety measures for the death of a 15-year-old Nigerian boy, David Ejimofor, who drowned after jumping off a breakwater into the sea at Aberavon Beach, Neath Port Talbot, South Wales.
The incident occurred on the evening of June 19, 2023, shortly after 7pm.
According to BBC, at an inquest into the teenager’s death on Tuesday,coroner Edward Ramsay concluded that a “lack of effective deterrents on the day in question” contributed to the fatal incident.
David, described by his mother, Maria Ejimofor, as a “cautious” swimmer, had jumped into the sea from the pier and quickly found himself in difficulty.
Though he had received swimming lessons in the past, the coroner said his ability was not strong enough to keep him afloat.
“This was because whilst he had swam, and could swim, his swimming ability was not good,” Ramsay stated.
He further noted, “Despite the frantic efforts of David’s friends, his swimming ability was not sufficient to keep him afloat.”
Emergency services were called to the scene, and despite rescue efforts from bystanders, including off-duty police officer Tyler Rowland, who was paddleboarding nearby, David was pronounced dead at 8.05pm.
Rowland helped bring the boy back to shore, where members of the public attempted CPR until paramedics arrived.
The inquest revealed that David had been researching swimming locations earlier that day.
His phone contained internet searches suggesting he was planning to swim, but was unsure about jumping.
“He had expressed some caution about jumping,” the coroner noted.
The coroner was critical of the safety conditions at the breakwater, stating, “I have no idea if he saw the signage stating no access. Secondly, even if he did, there was no physical barrier deterring entry.”
He added that “the breakwater should not have been used for jumping into the sea but there was effectively unrestricted and undeterred access.”
The coroner also revealed that there was absence of a lifeguard at the time of the incident.
According to BBC, Ramsay suggested that had a lifeguard been on duty, “it was possible David would not have jumped and therefore not have drowned.”
An RNLI spokesperson, reacting after the inquest, explained that lifeguard patrols generally run between 10am and 6pm, based on incident data indicating this is the highest-risk period.
David’s drowning happened shortly after those hours.
“Providing lifeguard cover is one of a range of safety measures a landowner or Council can implement to mitigate risk,” the spokesperson added.
Mr Ramsay confirmed he would be issuing a formal prevention of future deaths report, aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
A report from BBC stated that a spokesperson for Associated British Ports, which owns the breakwater, said: “Our deepest sympathy and thoughts remain with David’s family, friends and all who knew him.”
The company added that it continues to work with “local stakeholders and partners regarding water safety at Port Talbot.”
Neath Port Talbot Council, in a separate statement, extended its condolences to David’s family and friends and acknowledged the safety concerns raised.
“We are in the process of monitoring activity for the 2025 season and will continue to review beach safety provision,” the Council said.
It added that it would respond formally to the assistant coroner’s concerns in due course.
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