Nigerian teen, Ejimofor, drowned after being encouraged to jump into water by friends in UK- Inquest
An inquest has heard that 15-year-old David Chiaka Ejimofor, who drowned after leaping off a pier in Aberavon beach, Neath Port Talbot, United Kingdom, had told friends he could not swim before the tragic incident.
David, a talented weightlifter and athlete, died on June 19, 2023, while celebrating the end of his GCSE exams—a local tradition among students in the area.
Despite voicing his concerns, eyewitnesses testified that David was encouraged to jump from the pier into deep water.
Fisherman Luke McDonald told Swansea Coroners’ Court that he overheard David tell his friends he wasn’t confident in the water, but was still urged on by peers.
Moments after jumping, David appeared to struggle, thrashing around before disappearing beneath the surface.
Several of his friends tried to keep him afloat, but were overwhelmed by his size and weight.
One teenager who attempted to help was described as being physically exhausted during the rescue effort.
Off-duty police officer Tyler Rowland, who was paddleboarding nearby, responded after hearing frantic calls for help.
He eventually located David’s body on the seabed and helped bring him ashore with the aid of others.
Despite CPR efforts by Rowland and a nurse at the scene, and advanced life support provided by paramedics, David was pronounced dead at 8:05 p.m. The cause of death was confirmed as drowning.
David’s mother, Maria Ejimofor, described her son as intelligent, kind-hearted, and full of life.
While he had received swimming lessons in childhood, he was not a confident swimmer, and the family was shocked to learn he had jumped into the sea.
Paying tribute to her son, she said: “David was a beacon of positivity and resilience… his memory will remain in the hearts of those fortunate to have known him.”
In addition to his athletic achievements, David excelled academically and musically, particularly in French and maths, and played piano pieces that “touched our hearts.”
