More deaths are possible at a beach where a teenager drowned, a coroner has warned.
David Ejimofor, 15, died when he got into difficulty after jumping off a pier in Neath Port Talbot, South Wales, on 19 June 2023.
An inquest into his death last month concluded that his cause of death was consistent with drowning.
David’s parents have previously called for tougher safety measures at the breakwater in Aberavon.
His father, Alex Ejimofor, told Sky News: “If we can save one life there on that beach, we’re happy. David is happy as well.”
A prevention of future deaths report has now been issued by Coroner Edward Ramsay following the conclusion of the inquest.
In it, Mr Ramsay said there were “no lifeguards stationed at the breakwater during higher risk periods in the spring and summer months” and that the breakwater was “known to be dangerous”.
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The practice of placing a lifeguard at the breakwater during higher-risk times “had been in place historically and was known to be effective at reducing the risk”, he noted.
He also said he had not been given a “satisfactory” explanation in evidence as to why the measure had ended, and that he had also not been shown any evidence that other deterrence measures introduced since David’s death were working “effectively to reduce the risk”.
‘Lack of effective deterrents’
Mr Ramsay said at David’s inquest that there had been a “lack of effective deterrents on the day in question” to stop him jumping in.
Had a lifeguard been on duty at the time, Mr Ramsay said it was possible David “would not have jumped and therefore not have drowned”.
The inquest heard from David’s mother, Maria Ejimofor, who described him as a “cautious” swimmer but said her son had received swimming lessons in the past.
As he jumped into the water, David “found himself in immediate difficulty” and despite the “frantic efforts” of his friends, his swimming ability “was not sufficient to keep him afloat”, Mr Ramsay said.
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An RNLI spokesperson said providing lifeguard cover was “one of a range of safety measures a landowner or council can implement to mitigate risk”.
The Associated British Ports, owners of the breakwater, said it was continuing to work “with local stakeholders and partners regarding water safety at Port Talbot”.
A spokesperson for Neath Port Talbot Council said it and the RNLI were “in the process of monitoring activity for the 2025 season and will continue to review beach safety provision”.
