David Ejimofor was a talented 15-year-old with his whole life ahead of him who died after he was persuaded to jump into the sea off a pier in Port Talbot, Wales
Friends of a teenager who died after jumping into the sea from a high pier were “egging him on” before he plunged into the water and died.
David Ejimofor, 15, a gifted weightlifter and athlete who couldn’t swim well, died after jumping alongside his friends into the waters of Aberavon’s small beach in Port Talbot, Wales, on June 19, 2023. An inquest at Swansea Coroners’ Court heard he had told friends he wasn’t confident he could swim after the plunge, but he was encouraged to follow them into the water, being urged it was “not deep”. But he immediately began “thrashing about”, and eventually disappeared under the water’s surface.
Wales Online reports that eyewitness fisherman Luke McDonald said in a statement read to the court by coroner Edward Ramsay that around “eight or nine boys” had jumped into the water, and that he heard “one boy say he couldn’t swim” before they did so.
He said: “He didn’t seem sure about going in. He was well-built with dark dreadlocks and I think he had black swim shorts. All the boys other than him jumped into the sea. He was still standing on the pier. I remember them egging him on. They were saying words to the effect of: ‘Come on – jump in. You’ll be fine. It’s not deep.’
The fisherman added that, despite the egging on, David was “not pushed or forced in”, and started encountering difficulties immediately after entering the water.
The statement continued: “As he jumped in I was watching to make sure he was okay as I heard him say he couldn’t swim. I saw thrashing around a bit. I saw some others grab him and keep him afloat. He looked like he had support. I turned back to my fishing rod. I then heard them say they couldn’t see him. I heard someone shout: ‘I can’t see Dave.’”
Swansea University pathologist Dr John Williams provided a medical cause of death as drowning, with the court hearing he died after being rushed to Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.
His parents Maria and Alex Ejimofor were with him as he died, with Ms Ejimofor remembering he beloved son in a heartbreaking statement read to the court. She said her son, a talented athlete who excelled at the long jump, high jump, shot put and 100 metre sprint, was also a high performer at school and accomplished pianist who played “melodies which touched our hearts”.
She said: “He was honest, caring, intelligent, polite, independent, hardworking, full of life, respectful, and a beautiful young boy who had achieved so much in his 15 years.”
“David was a beacon of positivity and resilience. He brought joy and laughter and his memory will remain in the hearts of those fortunate to have known him. His spirit inspires us to find strength in the most difficult moments.”