A coroner has expressed concern over the lack of safety measures at Aberavon Beach in Port Talbot, following the death of 15-year-old David Ejimofor, who drowned after jumping into the sea from a pier known to be used by young people despite not being designed for that purpose.

According to WalesOnline, the inquest at Swansea Coroners’ Court heard that David, a pupil of St Joseph’s Comprehensive School, died on June 19, 2023, after entering the water at the small beach near the breakwater while celebrating the end of exam season with friends. He had been visibly nervous, and evidence from his mobile phone revealed searches that suggested he was not a confident swimmer.

Coroner Edward Ramsay found that David was reassured by friends and encouraged to jump, but encountered immediate difficulty after entering the water.

“David was reassured he would be okay, but I make no criticism of David’s friends. There is no basis for me to do so,” Mr Ramsay said. “His swimming ability was not good and there may also have been an element of cold water shock as panic ensued.”

Despite efforts by members of the public, including off-duty police officer Tyler Rowland, who retrieved David from the seabed with the help of a life ring and other swimmers, the teenager was pronounced dead at the beach. A post-mortem by Dr John Williams confirmed the cause of death as drowning.

WalesOnline reported that the court was told there was no lifeguard on duty at the time of the incident. Ramsay was critical of this absence, particularly given that the pier had been used for similar jumps in the past. “The point is he shouldn’t have been able to jump from the pier or the breakwater in the first place,” he stated.

“There was a lack of effective deterrence on the day preventing David and his friends from using the pier or breakwater in a way it was not designed for. There was no barrier, there was inadequate signage, there was no lifeguard present.”

The RNLI’s regional lead for Wales and the West, Peter Rooney, acknowledged during the inquest that the beach was not currently manned by lifeguards, despite being so historically. Rooney added that a new gate had been installed by the pier owner, Associated British Holdings Ltd, but said during a site visit it was still easy for people to climb over it.

Mr Ramsay indicated he would be issuing a Prevention of Future Deaths report, citing ongoing risks. “Proper consideration of lifeguard attendance has been lacking and a lifeguard should probably have been there at the time of David’s death,” he said. “I haven’t been provided with a satisfactory explanation for the issues raised regarding the concerns about the absence of lifeguards at the pier after 6pm.”

The RNLI later responded, stating: “Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of David. This tragic incident happened on private land. The RNLI works with landowners and councils to provide lifeguard patrols when they are requested by the landowners and have explicit permission to do so.”

The charity also emphasised that lifeguards typically operate between 10am and 6pm and encouraged the implementation of other safety measures, such as signage and public education.

The coroner concluded with a finding of misadventure, stating: “At 20.05 on June 19, 2023, at the little beach in Aberavon, David Ejimofor died having drowned after jumping into the sea from the breakwater to which he had effectively unrestricted and undeterred access… Had there been [a lifeguard], it is possible he would not have jumped and therefore would not have drowned.”

Ramsay described David as “a treasured son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend” and commended the efforts of the public and emergency responders who tried to save him.