Aberavon beach deaths warning after David Ejimofor death

More people could die at a beach where a teenager drowned unless a lifeguard is stationed there at high-risk times, a coroner has warned.

David Ejimofor, 15, died at Aberavon beach, Neath Port Talbot, on 19 June 2023, after jumping into the sea with friends while celebrating the end of their exams.

Assistant coroner Edward Ramsay also said he had seen no evidence that other measures put in place since David’s death, such as clearer signs, were “working effectively to reduce the risk”.

At the inquest into David’s death, Mr Ramsay said a lifeguard on duty could have stopped him from dying.

In a prevention of future deaths report, Mr Ramsay said a lifeguard had previously been stationed at the beach in spring and summer and it “was known to be effective at reducing the risk”.

He said he was not given a satisfactory explanation why that had been removed before David’s death, “nor why that measure continues to be absent today”.

The report was issued to Neath Port Talbot council, Associated British Ports and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, urging action to prevent future deaths.

David’s inquest heard from fisherman Ethan Clarke who said he heard the boy telling other teenagers he “couldn’t swim”.

He added that he heard the teenagers telling the boy “it would be fine” despite him telling them he could not swim.

Mr Clarke said the teenager jumped in and began to panic as soon as he entered the water.

David’s mother, Maria Ejimofor, described her son as a “beautiful young boy”, who was “bright and sporty”.